Harambee Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi (left) on the technical bench when Kenya played against Congo Brazzaville in a 2017 AFCON Qualifier.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 5 – Harambee Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi has included two uncapped England based youngsters in his squad of 40 players called to camp ahead of the next two national team assignments.
The team will travel to Kampala, Uganda on August 30 for an international friendly match with the Cranes before flying to Lusaka Zambia for their final 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against Zambia’s Chipolopolo on September 3.
Striker Jonah Ayunga from Brighton and Hove Albion’s Youth team as well as defender Josh Lenan from Plymouth Argile have been handed a call up and might be in line to make their first ever appearance for the national team.
Over the last national assignment, Okumbi called up Spain based midfielder Ismail Gonzalez, who went on to make his first ever appearance for the national team playing 45 minutes in the AFCON qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.
The national team head coach has called up several new players who have been impressive this season including Nakumatt FC right back Nicholas Mejja who has been one of the shining lights for the second tier league leaders. Another second tier player included in the team is Mike Madoya from Zoo Kericho.
Impressive AFC Leopards youngster Jack Bruno who has been in blistering form for Ingwe in all the three matches he has played in has also earned a maiden call up, and so has Western Stima midfielder Kenneth Mugambi.
Eugene Mukangula and Michael Mutinda who have been at the heart of Thika United’s resurgence, the former scoring six goals so far in the season have also been rewarded with a call to the national team.
Muhoroni Youth’s Yussuf Mohammed, Sony’s Masoud Juma and Chemelil’s Victor Majid are the other players making their first ever call ups.
Among familiar faces returning is midfielder Bernard Mang’oli who endured a tough six months with Bandari but picked up form upon returning to AFC leopards and defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng who has been impressive for his United States club New York Cosmos.
The team is expected to report to camp on August 15 ahead of the two matches.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Ian Otieno (AFC Leopards), David Okello (Tusker)
Defenders: Nicholas Meja (Nakumatt), Eric Ouma, Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United), David Ochieng (New York Cosmos), David Owino (Zesco United), Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Eugene Asike (Tusker), Joseph Okumu (Chemelil Sugar), Yusuf Mohammed (Muhoroni Youth), Mohammed Shariff (Bandari), Josh Lenan (Plymouth Argyle), Aboud Omar (Slavia Sofia)
Midfielders: Victor Wanyama (Tottenham HotSpurs), Ali Abondo (Ajax Capetown), Mike Madoya (Zoo Kericho), Amos Nondi, Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Michael Mutinda, Eugene Mukangula (Thika United), Clifton Miheso (Golden Arrows), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt), Bernard Mangoli, John Ndirangu (AFC Leopards), Victor Majid (Chemelil Sugar), Eric Johanna (Mathare United), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United), Ayub Timbe (Lierse), Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima), Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas)
Strikers: Michael Olunga (Djurgardens), Jesse Were (Zesco United), Jonah Ayunga (Brighton and Hove Albion), Masoud Juma (Sony Sugar), Mark Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars), Jack Bruno (AFC Leopards), Baron Oketch (Gor Mahia)
