Africa-Press – Kenya. Newly appointed Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has named a 34-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers against Mali in Morocco (Away) and Nairobi.
The coach has recalled Spain-based Ismael Gonzalez, Ovella Ochieng who plies trade for Marumo Gallants in the South African Premier League, and goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo who was part of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Shikhalo presently turns out for KMC in the Tanzanian Premier League.
Joash Onyango of Simba FC in Tanzania has also found his way back into the squad, for the first time since March. He had been left out in the last qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda owing to a nagging injury.
Wazito’s Johnstone Omurwa, who was dropped by former coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee after an off-the-ball incident against Egypt that earned him a red card, has also been handed a lifeline in the squad.
Teenage midfield sensation Richard Odada, who earned his first senior cap against Uganda in Nairobi, has made the squad.
The 2020/2021 FKF-PL Most Valuable Player and Golden boot winner Erick Kapaito has been summoned for duty as well. Tusker’s Eugene Asike, Sofapaka’s Lawrence Juma and Ulinzi’s James Saruni who scooped midfielder of the year, defender of the year and goalkeeper of the year respectively, have also been named.
Local-based players are expected to report to camp on Thursday, September 30 in Nairobi while their foreign-based counterparts will link up with them much later.
Harambee Stars flex muscles with Mali away, in Morocco, on October 7, before traveling back for the return leg at Nyayo Stadium on October 10. The team departs for Morocco on October 4.
The Stars are currently second on the standings in Group “E” with two points, two adrift of leaders Mali, and level on points with Uganda.
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Faruk Shikhalo (KMC, Tanzania), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Brian Bwire (Tusker)
Defenders: Joseph Stanley Okumu (KAA Gent, Belgium), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), DavidOdhiambo (Napsa, Zambia), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Eugene Asike (Tusker), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), David Owino (KCB), Abud Omar (AEL Larisa, Greece), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Bolton Omwenga (Kagera Sugar, Tanzania)
Midfielders: Richard Odada (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka), Patila Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), Ismael Gonzalez (Real Murcia, Spain), Kenneth Muguna (Azam, Tanzania), Duke Abuya (Nkana, Zambia), Keagan Ndemi (Bandari), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker), Reagan Otieno (KCB), Erick Zakayo (Tusker), Ovella Ochieng (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Philip Mayaka (Colorado Rapids, USA), Musa Masika(Wazito), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari)
Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Henry Meja (Tusker, Kenya), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)
