Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi shouts instructions during the Africa Cup of Nations match against Senegal at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on July 1, 2019. PHOTO/Goal
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 30 – First choice keeper Patrick Matasi and Sweden based midfielder Eric Johannah are some of the high profile names omitted as Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi named a squad of 23 to face Mozambique in a friendly match in Nairobi on October 13.
Matasi who has been Kenya’s number one for the last three years will not be part of the squad as well as Kariobangi Sharks’ John Oyemba who has lost his club starting role to youngster Brian Bwire.
In their place, Kimanzi has handed a recall to Red Arrows keeper Ian Otieno as well as Ulinzi Stars’ Timothy Odhiambo. Faruk Shikalo has however been retained.
Midfielder Eric Johannah who turns out for Swedish second division side IF Bromma has also been dropped while there is still no place for Johannah Omollo. Skipper Victor Wanyama however returns to the fold after settling his transfer conundrum at Tottenham Hotspur.
Harambee Stars attacking midfielder Eric Johannah wheels away from Uganda’s Mustafa Kizza during their international friendly match at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on September 8, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Meanwhile, Nkana’s Harun Shakava who had been previously overlooked by former coach Sebastien Migne since turning down a call up for a tournament in India last year has been recalled by Kimanzi after impressing in his start in Zambia.
Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu also earns a place back in the team after missing last month’s friendly match against Uganda as well as Algeria based Masud Juma and Swedish based Joseph ‘Crouch’ Okumu.
Youngster Yusuf Mainge who now plies his trade in Slovakia has also been called up with fit-again Jesse Were also earning a slot in the team.
Meanwhile, China based Ayumb Timbe will not be part of the squad, after his club Beijing Renhe requested for his omission as they will have important league matches during the same period.
Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi issues instructions during a training session at the Kasarani Stadium on September 5, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Kimanzi will look to test his new faces as he continues a process of building a solid squad for November’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers; Ian Otieno (Red Arrow, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya), Faruk Shikalo (Young Africans, Tanzania)
Defenders; Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Harun Shakava (Nkana, Zambia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Yusuf Mainge (FK Pohronie, Slovakia), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Erick Ouma (Vasalunds IF, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya)
Midfielders; Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari, Kenya), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Duke Abuya (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Cliffton Miheso (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Cliff Nyakeya (FC Masr, Egypt), Whyvone Isuza (AFC Leopards, Kenya)
Forwards; Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol), Jesse Were (Zesco United, Zambia), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria).
