Mwalala names KCB player who can remedy Harambee Stars 'big problem' in striking department

FKFPL Mwalala names KCB player who can remedy Harambee Stars 'big problem' in striking department

Mark Kinyanjui 15:33 - 28.10.2023

Mwalala has described the forward as a unique striker Kenya is “lucky to have” and has tipped him to earn a call-up soon.

KCB FC head coach Bernard Mwalala has backed Francis Kahiro to play for Harambee Stars one day should he continue with the same trajectory for the Bankers, who have steadily risen to fourth place in the FKFPL standings so far this season.

Kahiro has become the side’s first-choice striker since Mwalala took over as head coach in the off-season, managing to keep out the likes of Kennedy Ochino, Derrick Otanga, and Nicholas Kipkirui from the starting lineup.

The lanky striker has made a reputation for being industrious. He presses from the front, links up well with his midfield, runs the channels, stretches the defence, and also has that ability to find the back of the net with all sorts of finishes.

He even scored a cheeky lobbed goal against Kakamega Homeboyz a few weeks ago, underpinning his completeness as a striker.

His performances have impressed Mwalala, who has tipped him to earn a call-up to the Harambee Stars squad in the future should he keep his current trajectory moving upward.

“His job has been clear, to make life difficult for the opposition defence,” Mwalala told Pulse Sports.

“He tires out the central defenders in the first half before Derick Otanga comes to finish everything up in the second half.

“He does all the donkey work well before Otanga comes in to finish those chances. I think he has given us something that is very difficult to find amongst many other strikers in Kenya.”

Mwalala has described Kahiro as a unique striker Kenya is “lucky to have” and has tipped the former FC Talanta striker to earn a call-up sooner rather than later if he keeps “putting his best foot forward”.

“If you look at the striking department, there is a big issue in Kenya. Kahiro is a player that Kenya is lucky to have. If he can put his best foot forward consistently and there is a place up for grabs in the national team, he needs to work hard and the call-up will come.”

Hailing from Gatundu, Kahiro has already netted two FKFPL goals in seven appearances for the Bankers this season.

Last season, he suffered an unfortunate setback after going down with an injury during preseason under the tutelage of Zedekiah Zico Otieno, and it basically relegated him to being an impact sub considering that Kennedy Ochino had established himself as first choice striker during pre-season as the club sought to replace Derrick Otanga’s goals.

Since returning to the side, Otanga has been relegated to being an impact sub, while Kahiro has rightly earned his place as the club’s first-choice striker.

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