Every player has to earn his place in the team, says Williamson

Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson looks on during a training session on August 28, 2014 at City Stadium. Stars lost 0-1 to Egypt in a friendly match in Aswan City on August 30, 2014. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • In his team selection, the soft-spoken tactician showed that he was not afraid to unsettle the status quo handing call-ups to emerging talents.
  • Kataka has been in sparkling form in the tax collectors’ debut season in the top flight football and his eye-catching displays attracted interest from AFC Leopards in the June transfer window.
  • The ex-Uganda Cranes and Hibernian coach stepped down as Gor Mahia trainer to take charge of the national team after guiding K’Ogalo to its first league title in 18 years.

Harambee Stars manager Bobby Williamson has warned that there will be no sacred cows in his team stressing that each player will be given an equal opportunity to prove his worth.

The 53-year-old Scot - who took charge at Stars’ dugout for the first time in Saturday’s slim 0-1 defeat to Egypt’s Pharaohs in a friendly match in Aswan - added that he will focus on building a coherent-youthful squad with the aim of making a major football statement in the coming three years.

“Based on what I saw in Egypt, I am really impressed. It was very encouraging and we just need to build on it. Egypt is a very strong team and the young boys did well. Defensively the team looks very solid and the midfield was equally good.”

NEW CALL UPS

In his team selection, the soft-spoken tactician showed that he was not afraid to unsettle the status quo handing call-ups to emerging talents.

AFC Leopards defenders Jackson Saleh and Edwin Wafula, Thika United skipper Dennis Odhiambo, Sony Sugar defender Charles Odette, Leopards forward Noah Wafula and David King’atua- all of whom have been overlooked by past coaches - featured prominently in the Egypt friendly.

Others who made the cut were Thika United’s defensive duo; Sammy Mejja and Vincent Omumbo as well as the enterprising Kenya Revenue Authority attacker Geoffrey Kataka.

Kataka has been in sparkling form in the tax collectors’ debut season in the top flight football and his eye-catching displays attracted interest from AFC Leopards in the June transfer window.

On whether long serving striker Dennis Oliech and lanky midfielder MacDonald Mariga still have roles to play under his reign, the Scot gave a measured response.

“For three years I want to build a team and to be honest we cannot base a squad on anybody. We will take one step at a time,” he said. “I want a team not individuals. I am more interested in building a coherent squad.”

The ex-Uganda Cranes and Hibernian coach stepped down as Gor Mahia trainer to take charge of the national team after guiding K’Ogalo to its first league title in 18 years.

His next major assignment is the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup that will be held in Ethiopia and though the competition is three months away, he has already begun drawing a road map for victory.

“It is always a good tournament and we want to do well in it, to bring honour and glory to the country,” said the tactician who helped propel Uganda Cranes to four Cecafa titles between 2008 and 2012.