Ex-French keeper plans revival injection for Kenya

Lama, 43, will be expected to build a team capable of challenging for a place in the 2008 Africa Nations Cup finals in Ghana and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

A veteran of 44 French internationals, the Kenyan coaching post is Lama's first national team job, although he was Japan's goalkeeping coach before the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Lama, who officially takes charge on August 1, said he was well aware of the difficulties he is faced in plunging into the politically-volatile football arena, especially in Kenya where officials have been at loggerheads over the last two years

."In each country you have many problems," said Lama at a press conference in Nairobi."But my being here is to inject professionalism into the game and help tap the talent. I want to help the players to forget about the problems, help them relax and give their best on the pitch."

"I know that Kenya has great inspirations and the potential to become a strong football nation and through the cooperation of the Kenyan society we will achieve," said Lama."I know that the World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010 and there is a great chance for us as a team to qualify for this event."

Lama will play a role in selecting the four local coaches who will assist him in preparing Harambee Stars for the 2008 African Cup of Nations

qualifying matches, which start in September.Kenya play in Group Six alongside the 2006 World Cup debutants Angola, Eritrea and Swaziland.