Kenya which already had lost 1 - 0 in the first leg in Lesotho is now out of the competition on a 1 - 0 goal aggregate.
The Algerian born Belgian coach, was already suspended for one year by the football governing body in Africa, Confederation of African Football (CAF) for allegedly spitting at a fourth official in an ACN qualifier match in Comoros in May. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com
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| Adel Amrouche |
He has already appealed the decision and claimed that he did not spat at the official and can prove it with video evidence.
"I can prove it with video evidence, I never spat at the referee. It is an injustice against me and my team. The issue has killed our hopes of qualifying,'' coach Amrouche said.
The coach said that he has never lost a match with the team in 16 games, he told BCC Sport. He said that the two games that Kenya lost, he was in the stands due to the suspension.
Amrouche also said that, the fact that he was suspended for a year, affected his players concentrations and focus.
''I have never lost with this team in 16 matches. The two games that Kenya lost I was in the stands because I was suspended.''
''When we lost on Sunday I was in the stands, and the story that I am banned for a year, ruined the players concentration and focus,'' he said.
The team has been doing well under the coach Amrouche. As he mentioned, they won 16 matches under him, and never lost with him untill the ban, which took him out of the pitch.
In 2013 he led the Harambee Stars to win the Cecafa trophy - (the East and Central African countries football tournament). And also when he became their coach, the country was ranked 138th by Fifa but now they are at number 95th.
''We lifted the team up from 138th in Fifa's rankings and now they are 95th,'' the coach said.
It is quite unfortunate that he has been sacked by the KFF, inspite of the fact that he improved the national team greatly. Even though the Federation was disappointed that they failed to qualify to the 2015 African Cup of Nations, I think that it could've benefitted the team, if he was allowed to continue building and developing the team.
Continuity is very vital in this sport, especially if a coach is making a big impact, bringing success after success no matter how small, as long as the players are responding well to his coaching.
I have no doubt in my mind, that with what he has already achieved with the team, that given a couple of years more he would have achieved more. Most likely he would lead the team to qualify for the 2017 tournament.
Long term plan is very important, in order for any team that is building up, to start yielding dividend. But the problem today in football business, is that heads of football associations don't have patience. Is either a coach produce results immediately or be sacked. It is very unfortunate indeed.
Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com
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