Exclusive: Owino Vows to Stop Aboubakar from Scoring Against Harambee Stars in AFCON Qualifier Double

Harambee Stars centre-back Sylvester Owino has vowed to stop veteran Cameroonian forward Vincent Aboubakar from scoring when the two teams face off in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Kenya will travel for the first leg of the qualifiers set for Friday, October 11 at Japoma Stadium with the return leg being hosted for three days later at Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda.

Ahead of the two matches, pundits view Aboubakar as one of the threats to Kenya's bid to either seal an AFCON ticket in October or draw closer to qualifying for finals at the very least. 

However, Owino has offered to ensure that the seasoned striker, as well as the other offensive players in the Cameroonian team, is well-contained.

SPOILING FOR BATTLE WITH ABOUBAKAR

Despite featuring in just two AFCON qualifiers since breaking to the national team, Owino is looking forward to testing himself against one the finest strikers on the continent. 

The 23-year-old acknowledged that stopping the Cameroonian forwards was a massive task bearing in mind that the Indomitable Lions will be out to redeem themselves having started the qualification campaign poorly. 

He, however, declared himself ready to thwart the plot by Aboubakar and his teammates to hurt the Stars goalkeeper who will be selected for duty in the two matches.

"I feel that I am equal to the task, especially the one to contain Aboubakar. He is a threat and the kind of striker you can't give him breathing space, but he is manageable. He is not the sole threat in the team, but we are prepared for the battle. I personally look forward to it," Owino told SportsBoom.co.za. 

Owino admitted to being a huge fan of the striker whom he grew up watching in the AFCON and World Cup and termed facing him as a dream come true. 
 

AHLY MATCHES HAVE PREPARED ME

Owino, attributed his confidence to limit Aboubakar to the experience he earned from the past two AFCON qualifiers and the CAF Champions League. 

The Gor Mahia man partnered Joseph Okumu at the heart of the defence in the past two rounds of the qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia in what was his first two matches for Stars. 

Owino followed up his solid displays in the qualifiers with impressive performances in the second round of the Champions League against holders Ahly. 

The former Kakamega Homeboyz defender said the four matches coupled with the appearances in the COSAFA Cup have prepared him for the huge battle ahead of him against Cameroon. 

"I head to the matches against Cameroon a better player than I was in the past FIFA international window. The matches against Ahly exposed me to a higher level and atmosphere which will come in handy against Cameroon," he said.