Seven players have been dropped from Harambee Stars’ provisional squad set to play two friendly matches against Pakistan and Mauritius later this week.
Among the big names left out of the now trimmed 23 man squad include; Azam FC midfielder Kenneth Muguna, KAA Gent’s Joseph Okumu and Masud Juma (Difaa El Jadidi, Morocco) – all who will now miss Kenya’s trip to Mauritius in the upcoming Four Nations Tournament.
Okumu and Juma were players head coach Engin Firat had indicated were struggling with significant injuries and was waiting till the end to work out their availability for national team duty.
The other players – all locally based- who will also not feature are; Sofapaka goalkeeper and debutant in the national team fold Simon Masaka, Bandari’s Mohamed Siraj, Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia) and Kenya Police midfielder cum winger Alvin Mang’eni.
The announcement comes a day after Kenya’s initial plans to travel to Mauritius – the hosts of the Four Nations Tournament – were batted off due to what the Football Kenya Federation referred to as ‘unavailability of flights to Mauritius.’
With two steps done (FIFA clearance and naming of final traveling party), the squad of 23 players will embark on their journey on Monday 12 January, with their first match coming against Pakistan on 14 June 2023 at the Anjalay Coopen Stadium from 3:30 PM EAT.
Firat unfazed by absence of injured stars ahead of Mauritius, Pakistan tests
Kenya’s second and final match will come on Sunday 18 June against hosts Mauritius, with their first game against Djibouti at the same venue canceled.
This becomes the second successive time the duo of Siraj and Mang’eni have not been included in the Harambee Stars final fold – both missing out on the team’s trip to Tehran in a March friendly that Kenya lost 2-1 to the hosts, Iran.
Meanwhile, Engin Firat, from a video posted on the team’s social media handles, celebrated his birthday with a bunch of his players on Sunday. The Turkish-German coach turns 53, but a caption from the team cheekily read; “Happy Birthday Coach, New Year, same goal. We wish you all the best as you turn 24.”
FULL SQUAD.
Goalkeepers.
Brian Bwire (Tusker FC), Ian Otieno (Zesco United), Bryne Omondi (KCB)
Defenders.
David Ochieng (Kenya Police), Daniel Sakari (Tusker FC ), Collins Shichenje (KUPS), Robinson Kamura (Kakamega Homeboyz), Kevin Luke Otiala (Kariobangi Sharks), Eric Ouma (AIK ), Aboud Omar (Kenya Police), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FC)
Midfielders.
Richard Odada (Philadelphia Union), Bonface Omondi (Gor Mahia), Cliffton Miheso (Kenya Police), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari FC ), Amos Ndondi (Ararat), Anthony Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Charles Ouma ( Kenya Police ), Joseph Mwangi (Nzoia Sugar), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards)
Forwards.
Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz)
