Africa-Press – Kenya. Harambee Stars’ head coach Engin Firat says his charges will battle tooth and nail to pull off an upset against the highly fancied Mali when the two nations lock horns in their Group “E” World Cup qualifier in Morocco on Thursday.
And despite the glaring ill preparations that threaten to dim their campaign, the Turkish gaffer is ironically pegging his hopes on tactical discipline to salvage his squad from the jaws of their ravenous opponents.
“In all our training sessions, I keenly followed the proceedings on the pitch, noting down all the essential details, and I can say I’m generally satisfied. I have already explained what I expect from them and made it clear they have to adopt to my style of play.
“We had a couple of training sessions though and honestly speaking we didn’t have enough time to do as much as we would have wanted to. However, we will find solutions to our challenges and do our best to play well,” said Firat.
As Firat edgily brought his concerns to the fore, Wazito’s Johnstone Omurwa was enumerating his blessings. The lanky centre-back said he was glad to have been handed a new lease of life after being snubbed by Firat’s predecessor Jacob “Ghost” Mulee in matches against Togo, Uganda and Rwanda.
Omurwa has dared Mali to a lifetime duel, vowing to go at them hammer and tongs.
“We are glad to have gathered two points in our matches against Uganda and Rwanda but that’s now all behind us. Our forthcoming match against Mali is very crucial and as such we must all give it our best shot to secure the maximum points.
Omurwa was sent for an early shower in Stars’ encounter against the Pharaohs of Egypt at Moi Stadium, Kasarani following an off-the-ball incident.
Mulee gave him a wide berth in Stars’ subsequent encounter against Togo as Tusker’s Clyde Senaji earned a maiden senior call-up to replace him.
Al Duhail’s clinical finisher Michael Olunga will skipper the star-studded 25-man squad consisting of 13 foreign-based players. Besides Olunga, Firat is spoilt for choice upfront where he could also field last season’s Kenyan Premier League MVP Erick Kapaito as well as Henry Meja who scooped the Young Player of the Season award.
Firat is also expected to parade a watertight back line that boasts of wealth and experience in Genk’s Joseph Okumu, 2020 Caf Champions League’s defender of the year Joash Onyango of Tanzanian Premier League side Simba SC, as well as 2020 KPL defender of the year Eugene Asike of Tusker.
Teenage sensation Richard Odada who mesmerised the stands with his sublime touches against the Cranes, is expected to marshal the midfield alongside Azam’s Kenneth Muguna and last season’s KPL midfielder of the year Lawrence Juma.
Zesco United’s Ian Otieno is likely to man the woodwork with Farouk Shikhalo and Tusker’s Brian Bwire watching closely from the bench.
Stars were scheduled to depart for Morocco on Monday evening ahead of their match against Les Aigles at the Grande Stade d’Agadir on Thursday night.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikhalo
Defenders:
Joseph Okumu, Joash Onyango, David Owino Odhiambo, Johnstone Omurwa, Eugene Asike, Daniel Sakari, David Owino Ambulu, Abud Omar, Eric Ouma, Bolton Omwenga.
Midfielders:
Richard Odada, Lawrence Juma, Ismael Gonzalez, Kenneth Muguna, Duke Abuya, Boniface Muchiri, Eric Zakayo, Phillip Mayaka, Abdalla Hassan.
Forwards:
Michael Olunga, Henry Meja, Eric Kapaito
