NAIROBI, Kenya, March 19 – Harambee Stars coach Antoine Hey has dropped four Mathare United players from his final 25 man squad announced on Thursday.
Titus Mulama, Edgar Ochieng, Austin Makacha and Duncan Ochieng were all axed just hours after they left camp to join their club without Hey’s blessings.
Mathare withdrew them on Wednesday evening to prepare for their league match against Bandari on Saturday and Hey decided to crack the whip on the quartet.
“I know they are good players but I had to make a decision. Anyone can play for Stars and no one must play for Stars,” said Hey.
The German tactician will announce his final 18 next week 24 hours before they play Tunisia.
Hey also dropped AFC leopards midfielder Sebastian Muchera and Tusker’s Joseph Njuguna from the squad.
Nine professional players have made his squad with Bernard Mwalala, Boniface Ambani and Musa Otieno making a comeback.
Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech who has only resumed training after suffering a hamstring injury has been included in the side as has Parma midfield hardman Macdonald Mariga.
Ambani has set the Tanzanian league alight scoring goals with abandon while Mwalala has impressed in Rwanda.
For Musa it is first time back since 2007 when he announced that he was retiring from international football. The South Africa based player even left Santos for Cleveland City stars but was then prompted loaned back to the Cape Townside.
British born Kenyan Taye Atieno was also included in the squad despite still not having a Kenyan passport.
Hey will have to pick his goalkeepers from Noah Ayuko, Wilson Oburu and David Okello with the Sher custodian no doubt favourite to stand between the posts on March 28.
With Ochieng who skippered the team at the Cecafa Senior Challenge out of the reckoning, Pascal Ochieng, Jokctins Atudo and Joseph Shikokoti will be fighting to partner the experienced George Owino at the heart of defence.
Evans Wandera fairytale continues as the youngster kept his place in the team.
Noah Ayuko, Wilson Oburu, David Okello, Mulinge Munandi, John Njoroge, Jotckins Atudo, Julius Owino, Pascal Ochieng, Joseph Shikokoti, Evans Wandera, Victor Mugabe, Francis Ouma, Peter Opiyo, Fred Ajwang, Hillary Echesa, Taiwo Atieno, Dennis Oliech, Macdonald Mariga, George Owino, Musa Otieno, Allan Wanga, Patrick Oboya, Robert Mambo, Boniface Ambani and Bernard Mwalala.
