Harambee Stars prepare for Congo Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi says he is seeking to cultivate a competitive approach within the team ahead of a busy schedule for Kenya in the next two weeks.

Stars are set to host the Republic of Congo in a dead-rubber 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Nairobi on June 5. Before this fixture, Stars will host Tanzania and Sudan in build-up matches in Nairobi on May 27 and 29 respectively.

“We have to try and be competitive even as we look to cultivate a winning formula,” said Okumbi, who has lost both of his two opening games since taking over the team in March.

“For the friendlies, we will try out new players and formations so that we can be in a good position to win against the Republic of Congo,” the youthful coach added.

Kenya is all but out of the running to qualify for next year’s Cup of Nations in Gabon, having failed to win any of its opening four Group ‘E’ qualification matches against Guinea Bissau, Congo and Zambia. Some of the new players Okumbi has sought to work with include Spain-based midfielder Ismail Gonzalez and attacking forward Bruce Kamau who is based in Australia.

Ismail, who is attached to Spain’s second division club CP Cacerano, has already accepted the call-up but Melbourne FC’s Kamau is yet to make up his mind as he has also been informally approached by Australian national football team’s technical bench, according to Football Kenya Federation.

“Our talk with Gonzalez has been very positive but Kamau is yet to make a decision. We are optimistic we will have both of them available for selection in the upcoming friendlies,” Okumbi said.

Other fresh call-ups include leading Sportpesa Premier League topscorer Wycliffe Ochomo, who plays for Muhoroni Youth and National Super League side Nzoia Sugar’s prodigy Masita Masuta.

Meanwhile, Stars are set to play Iraq in Dubai in August, while plans are also underway to play host to a European nation in a build-up match later in the year.

STARS PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Lucas Indeche (AFC Leopards) and David Okello (Tusker FC) 

Defenders: Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United), Aboud Omar (Slavia Sofia), Musa Mohammed, Eric Ouma (Gor Mahia), David Owino (Zesco United), Joackins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Duncan Otewa (Bandari) and Collins Shivachi (Tusker FC)

Midfielders: Ismail Said Athman (Las Palmas), Johanna Omolo (Royal Antwerp), Joseph Mbugi (Posta Rangers), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United), Victor Wanyama (Southampton), Eric Johanna (Mathare United), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC), Ayub Timbe (Lierse SK), Ali Abondo (Ajax Capetown), Paul Were (Clubless), Clifford Miheso (AFC Leopards) and Ovella Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks). 

Strikers: Michael Olunga (Djurgadens), Masita Masuta (Nzoia United), Wycliffe Ochomo (Muhoroni Youth), Mark Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars) and Jesse Were (Zesco United)