NAIROBI, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's national football team Harambee Stars has wound up its training base in Paris and moves camp to Cairo, Egypt ahead of Friday's start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Head coach Sebastian Migne said Tuesday that Harambee Stars will make an impact progress to the round of 16.
"Certainly we are not going to Cairo as tourists. We start off against Algeria in our first match, we will try and give them a hard time and get a good result," said Migne.
The 2019 AFCON is set to run from June 21 to July 19. Kenya has been away from the tournament for 15 years and it was not until the expansion of Confederation of African Football (CAF) from 16 to 24 teams that it gained a slot.
But Migne believes it is down to merit and they deserve some respect on return to the continent's biggest football competition.
"Football is always about pressure. When you have pressure it means you can compete at the highest level. It is an honor to be here and we deserve every moment," said Migne.
Kenya winds up its 19-day residential training in what has been the country's best preparation, which has led fans to have high hopes of Harambee Stars doing better.
Stars played two friendly matches, winning 1-0 against Madagascar in Paris and sharing the spoils with the DRC in Madrid after a 1-1 draw.
Kenya has been pooled in Group C alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Tanzania.
Harambee Stars first match will be against Algeria on June 23. Tanzania will be up next on June 27, before the Senegal game on July 1.
Only the best two teams out of the six groups plus four best third placers will make the cut into the round of 16.
"We need to be humble and realistic in our expectations and the fans have to learn to support the team in good and bad moments. The players have already written one part of the story by qualifying for the AFCON finals. They will show good value, spirit and are ready to die for the team," Migne added. Enditem
