Fifa rankings: Harambee Stars free-fall continues

Kenya has dropped 15 places in the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday by the world football governing body.

The national football team is now ranked position 131 globally and 40th in Africa, down from position 116 globally and 35th in the Caf governed region.

The slump can be attributed to the 2-1 loss Harambee Stars recorded against Zambia early last month in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Argentina retained its position at the top of the global chart, with Germany, Belgium, Portugal and Colombia completing the top five list.

Mauritius, who are Kenya’s next opponents in the World Cup qualifiers, have moved 17 places up from September’s position 185 to 168 in the latest ranking.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia defenders Musa Mohammed and Harun Shakava were on Thursday included in the Harambee Stars squad that is due to travel to Mauritius this weekend for the preliminary round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

The two had been excluded from the initial 20-man squad that was released on Monday afternoon, triggering a strong campaign on social media against Bobby Williamson’s team selection criteria.

Stars assistant coach Musa Otieno told Daily Nation Sport that Musa’s name had been erroneously excluded from the list, but that Shakava’s call up was a backup plan in case some foreign-based players fail to show up.

“Musa (Mohammed) was part of the plan from the very beginning. I don’t know how he was omitted from the list but he was the proposed replacement for (Lawrence) Olum who was dropped.

“We have also realised that getting the foreign-based players will be difficult because this is not a Fifa-recognised week for international matches. A player like Owino (David) will be playing for Zesco on Sunday afternoon, meaning that the earliest he can join us is on Tuesday so we had to include Shakava just in case he fails to make it on time,” he said.

The team reports to camp this morning and they will train at the Ruaraka grounds for two days before they leave for Mauritius on Sunday.

FUL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (Lillestrom, Norway), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia)

Defenders: David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), David Ochieng’ (Unattached), Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders: Bernard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt), Kevin Amwayi (Ulinzi Stars), Johanna Omollo (Mathare United), Abdul Latif (Bandari FC), Teddy Akumu (Al Khartoum, Sudan), Johanna Omollo (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Ayub Timbe (SK Lierse, Belgium)

Strikers: Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Allan Wanga (Azam, Tanzania), Jacob Kelli (Nkana Red Devils, Zambia)