NAIROBI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's national football team coach Sebastien Migne has traveled with a weakened side to India after several top players pulled out citing club commitments.
Kenya jetted off to Mumbai on Wednesday morning for the Hero Intercontinental Cup, a four-team tournament in India where they will play against the hosts, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei. The French coach was forced to cut down the number of players in his squad and now has only 15 players at his disposal. However, six more players are set to travel on Thursday.
"The essence of friendly matches is to test different players. We have so many players and when one pulls out, it offers a chance to the other," Migne said on Wednesday in Nairobi.
This invitational tournament follows Kenya's build up in international friendly matches against Swaziland and Equatorial Guinea in Machakos.
Migne has included the Buildcon FC (Zambia) duo of Cliffton Miheso and John Mark Makwatta in the team. Also included are Bryne Omondi and Timothy Otieno, Bernard Ochieng, Patilah Omotto and Dennis Odhiambo.
Kenya will take on New Zealand on Saturday, before facing hosts India on Monday.
The top two teams will face off in the final on June 10 in Mumbai.
