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Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee believes that the team’s failure to field natural strikers was the key reason they couldn’t secure a win against Zimbabwe.

Harambee Stars were held to a goalless draw in a home match played in Uganda, due to the lack of an approved venue in Kenya.

Harambee Stars starters

In the match, current head coach Engin Firat opted for Austin Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Duke Abuya, and Eric Johanna in offensive positions, while leaving out natural strikers like John Avire, Jonah Ayunga, and Benson Omalla.

Commenting on the match, Mulee said the absence of a “predator” upfront cost the team.

“I don’t know the reason why we were not brave enough to pick a striker in the game. That was clearly missing. We didn’t have a predator, someone hungry. It is Firat’s tactics and I don’t want to go into it,” the coach told Tata Sports.

Mulee pointed out that Duke Abuya, who started in an attacking role, typically plays deeper at his club, Yanga SC, and struggled when positioned as the lead forward.

“I don’t think we were going to score at any point. We didn’t have a bite in front of goal and that was our major undoing. I saw Duke Abuya playing there and when you look at him from Yanga, he knows he plays coming from behind. When you make him to be the one facing the goal first it becomes difficult.” Mule stated.

He argued that natural strikers like Benson Omalla, John Ayunga, or John Avire would have made a difference.

“But a natural striker maybe Benson Omalla, John Ayunga or John Avire would be different.

Harambee Stars coach tacts

“I did say that Firat’s tactics were bad but what I said is he lacked a striker, a clear striker in the game. As a coach, I wouldn’t play like that without an on-and-on striker. Avire and Omalla have been playing there they know when to score goals,” he concluded.

Harambee Stars have since moved to South Africa, where they will prepare for their second match of the AFCON Qualifiers against Namibia.