Coach Migne defends Kenya's training in France for Africa Nations Cup

NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Harambee Stars head coach Sebastian Migne said Thursday that the training camp in France will boost Kenya's chances of winning this year's Africa Nations Cup, which will be held in Egypt starting from June 15 to July 13.

"We looked at several factors and what was made available to us in Africa before we picked on France. The weather in Europe, France in particular, is similar to what we will have in Egypt. There are more African teams camping in France and with Kenya headed there, it makes it easier for us to play several build-up matches," said Migne in Nairobi.

The French coach also maintained that the team stands a chance of doing well in Egypt if they get enough support.

"We have several targets that we must achieve in Egypt. Kenya can go all the way to win the tournament and that is the spirit we need to have. But the stakeholders also need to do their part and allow the team players to do theirs," the coach added.

Harambee Stars will face Ghana in their final Group F match on March 23 in Accra. The match however is a dead rubber with both teams having already qualified for the 24-team tournament.

Other qualifiers include Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda, will also the international window to gauge their players in friendly matches.

Migne believes with thorough training, his team can go past the group stages at AFCON.

Migne will be without influential striker Michael Olunga and Ayub Timbe in the game against Ghana.

"Olunga has been left out following a hamstring injury, which he picked up in their 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata in the Japan J league, which has since ruled him out for the next three weeks," said Migne.

Migne said Olunga remains part of his plans for the Africa Cup of Nations finals and will monitor his progress closely. Enditem