Amrouche missing as Stars jet out for Lesotho tie
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Harambee Stars forward Allan Wanga (left) dribbles past Burundi's Kiza Fataki during their friendly match played on July 14, 2014, at Nyayo Stadium. Wanga is expected to spearhead Kenya's attack in Lesotho on July 20, 2014.
What you need to know:
- Amrouche is serving a two-match ban by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) after a scuffle with the match officials during the AFCON qualifier match against Comoros in May.
- Johanna Omollo — who scored in the previous round in Nairobi against Comoros — Belgium-based Ayub Timbe, Ac Ajaccio's Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi are all not in the team.
- The coach maintains that his absence will not be felt much as he has faith in his assistants who he believes will do a good job.
Suspended Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche was left behind as the national soccer team left the country Friday morning for Maseru, where they face Lesotho in the first leg of the preliminary round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Amrouche is serving a two-match ban by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) after a scuffle with match officials during the AFCON qualifier match against Comoros in May.
In his absence, James Nandwa, Ken Odhiambo and Armars Niyongabo will take charge of the team in both legs of the qualifier, whose winner joins Group C, where Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola await.
A surprise inclusion in the squad is the national under-20 player Vincent Omumbo of Thika United.
Omumbo has been impressive for his club over the past two seasons, a performance that has earned him a call-up as he chases his first senior team cap.
MISSING STARS
There were no major surprises, though, in the travelling party, but the absence of key players due to club commitment is a major worry for the team's technical bench.
Johanna Omollo — who scored in the previous round in Nairobi against Comoros — Belgium based Ayub Timbe, Ac Ajaccio's Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi are all not in the team.
But former Tusker FC and AFC Leopards midfielder Peter 'Pinchez' Opiyo — who was not among the players who struggled to eliminate Comoros — has made a return and was in the 19-man squad that left aboard a Fly540 flight.
High-rising Tusker FC midfielder Brian Osumba also made the squad, as well as Mathare United ace Harrison Mwendwa.
Amrouche also named South Africa-based David Gateri in the squad although he did not impress in the previous matches that he had played under the Belgian coach.
The coach maintains that his absence will not be felt much as he has faith in his assistants, who, he believes, will do a good job.
“I trust my assistants will do a good job. They know our philosophy and I hope they come back with a win,” he said on Tuesday, when the Stars played to a barren draw with Burundi in a dull friendly at Nyayo Stadium.
SQUAD MEMBERS
Officials: James Nandwa, Ken Odhiambo, Armars Niyongabo, Vincent Muoki, Benson Otieno, Bruce Juma, Abdull Issa Salim, Jacob Mulee.
Team: Goalkeepers: Wilson Oburu (Bandari), Jerim Onyango (Gor Mahia) and Wycliff Kasaya (AFC Leopards).
Defenders: James Situma (AFC Leopards), David Owino (Gor Mahia), Jockins Atudo (Tusker), David “Cheche” Ochieng (Al Taawon), Aboud Omar (Tusker), and Vincent Omumbo (Thika United).
Midfielders: Peter Opiyo (Jora, Finland), MacDonald Mariga (unattached), Victor Mugubi (Southampton, England), Francis Kahata (FKTirana), David Gateri (South Africa), Harrison Mwendwa (Mathare United), Jamal Mohamed, Clifton Miheso (Sofapaka), Stephen Ocholla (Ulinzi Stars), and Brian Osumba (Tusker).
Strikers: Jacob Keli (AFC Leopards) and Allan Wanga (El Merreikh, Sudan).
