NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- Kenya’s plans for their crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Nairobi suffered fresh setbacks after head coach Adel Amrouche confirmed midfielders Ayub Timbe and David Gateri would not feature.
Belgium based player, Timbe, has once again declined to honor his call-up while South Africa Division 2 side Salt River Blackpool ASD man Gateri has been ruled out with injury, Amrouche said on Tuesday.
“It is unpatriotic Timbe who also refused to come when we played Nigeria away in Calabar to decline a chance to play for his nation. It is every player’s dream to represent their country and I’m disappointed with him,” the Belgian head coach said.
According to him, the Genk midfielder claimed he was injured for the Calabar tie that saw Kenya hold Nigeria 1-1 and know the player is claiming he has ‘other commitments’.
Having starred in midfield during the away tie where Harambee Stars fell only a minute short from stunning the then freshly minted African champions, Gateri will miss the return having been injured while playing for his side.
“He was key to my plans as a fundamental player and to lose him now is a big blow for the team. It means I have to look for a player quickly to replace him,” Amrouche rued.
The pair are among the foreign based players in the coach’s list as he embarks on shaping the final 18 that will face the Super Eagles in Nairobi on June 5.
Amrouche called-up 25 local based players to train for the match on April 23 with the foreign contingent including suspended captain, Dennis Oliech, arriving to join the team.
“He is here to motivate the boys and he is important to the team even if he does not play,” the head coach said of the French Ligue 1 Ajaccio forward who saw his team narrowly survive relegation from the top flight last weekend despite a 2-0 to Nancy.
First choice custodian Arnold Origi is also suspended for the tie.
