Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Review: Kenya sack coach after ´disastrous elimination´

3 August 2014 21:43

Kenya’s 0-0 draw with Lesotho on Sunday ended their Africa Cup of Nations qualification hopes, as well as coach Adel Amrouche’s tenure.

Kenya went into the second leg of their second-qualifying-round clash trailing 1-0, and with their preparations having been disrupted by a one-year suspension against Amrouche.

The Algerian tactician is alleged to have spat at an official during a qualifier against Comoros in May – with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) appealing the resulting sanction to African football’s governing body, the CAF.

In Amrouche’s absence, James Nandwa led the national side for their vital clash in Nairobi, but he was unable to inspire a victory as they were held by a team ranked 29 places below them in the world to lose the tie on aggregate.

After what the FKF described as a “disastrous elimination”, the body added in a statement that it “informs the public of its decision to sack the senior men’s national team technical bench led by head coach Adel Amrouche”.

“Losing the contest to Lesotho in the manner we did is unacceptable,” the organisation added.

“The federation, with the support of the government, did everything to have the team ready for this match, including full settlement of allowances and even held our nerves to rally the Kenyan football fraternity to get behind Amrouche following his suspension by CAF.

“They have let the country down and as such they can have no further role to play in the affairs of the national team with immediate effect.”

Elsewhere on Sunday, Robert Ssentongo’s late strike helped ease Uganda to a second-leg victory over Mauritania as they moved into the group stages.

Leading 2-0 from their first leg in Kampala, Uganda added a third to make sure of their place in Group E, with the hosts forced to play with 10 men for the final 10 minutes after Karamoko Traore was sent off.

Meanwhile, Mozambique also qualified for the next phase as they saw off Tanzania 2-1 in the second leg to progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Joao Chissano’s men move into Group F alongside Cape Verde, Niger, Zambia.

The latter of those teams will, however, prepare for the group stages – which begin next month – without their coach after Patrice Beaumelle stepped down on Sunday.

A statement on the Football Association of Zambia’s (FAZ) website confirmed: “The Football Association of Zambia wishes to officially announce Mr. Patrice Beaumelle has decided not exercise his right to renew his contract with the Association following its expiry on 31st July, 2014.

“Beaumelle, who until recently had been acting as head coach for the Zambia national team following the departure of Herve Renard, leaves Zambia after five years of commitment, dedication and hard work which during both coaches tenure saw the Zambia national team lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the first time in February, 2012 in Libreville, Gabon.

“FAZ President Kalusha Bwalya thanked Beaumelle for his tireless dedication to duty and for showing commitment to the country especially since the departure of Renard.”