NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 28- Six new call-ups are in the initial squad of 27 named by new Harambee Stars coach, Adel Amrouche as the preparations for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria started to take shape.
The Algerian born Belgian coach who took the reigns of the side last week also brought back four players to the national team’s fold with the call-ups starting training for the March 22 clash against the Super Eagles assembling next week.
“I have called up an initial 27 players that I intend to closely monitor in training so that I can make a final decision.
“However, all players must know the doors to the national team are not closed as I will still beef up the squad. We will be going to camp after the elections where I will also name the foreign based players to join us later,” the new man told SuperSport.com.
He added they were seeking to feature in build-up matches with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) that dispatched the team to the media on Thursday already talking of playing Egypt and Congo Brazzaville ahead of the crunch Nigeria tie in Calabar.
Tusker FC pair Michael Olunga and Jesse Were, Daniel Onyango (Western Stima), Mohammed Hassan (KRA), Crispin Odula and Aboud Omar (both Bandari) are in the frame for maiden caps as the fresh faces in the preliminary squad.
Former Petro Atletico forward and AFC Leopards marksman Allan Wanga, Fredrick Onyango (Gor Mahia) and the Sofapaka FC quartet of Collins Kisuya, James Situma, Bob Mugalia and Antony Kimani are the returnees to the national team.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Duncan Ochieng(Sofapaka), Boniface Oluoch (Tusker), Fredrick Onyango(Gor Mahia)
Defenders: Edwin Wafula(AFC Leopards), James Situma(Sofapaka), Abdalla Juma(Sofapaka), Collins Kisuya(Sofapaka), Aboud Omar(Bandari), David Owino(Gor Mahia), David Ochieng(Tusker), Eugene Asike(Sofapaka), Mulinge Munandi(Ulinzi Stars)
Midfielders: Chrispin Odula(Bandari), Antony Akumu(Gor Mahia), Antony Kimani(Sofapaka), Peter Opiyo(Tusker), Daniel Onyango(Western Stima), Kevin Omondi(Gor Mahia).
Strikers: Bob Mugalia(Sofapaka), Francis Kahata(Thika United), Paul Were(AFC Leopards), Jesse Were(Tusker), Rama Salim(Gor Mahia), Michael Olunga(Tusker), Allan Wanga(AFC Leopards), Mohammed Hassan(KRA)
