MacDonald Mariga out of Zambia clash

Harambee Stars midfielder MacDonald Mariga will miss this Sunday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zambia.

Head coach Bobby Williamson said that Mariga - currently clubless - is preoccupied with securing his future and has therefore asked to he excused from the tie.

“He (Mariga) is still in Italy and has requested that he be left out of this particular match because he is trying to find himself a new club.

“National duty is very important but it is also important to understand that he needs to secure his future not only for himself but for his family as well,” Williamson said.

His brother Victor Wanyama and striker Paul Were were late arrivals in Williamson’s squad.

They joined the team for their first training session on Thursday morning. Wanyama told Daily Nation Sport that contrary to media reports suggesting that he is unsettled at his club, Southampton, he is in the right frame of mind.

“Forget what is in the media. I am in very good shape mentally and physically and I am sure that we shall cope well with the opponent. The mood in the camp is good and everybody is ready and willing to give their best,” he said.

ORIGI NOT IN CAMP YET

Were, who has had very little play time in the last two months, engaged in a separate training regimen from the rest of the team to boost his fitness levels.

As at Thursday evening, only Norway-based goalkeeper Arnold Origi was absent, although Al Khartoum midfielder Anthony Akumu arrived late in the afternoon and is yet to train with the team.

The Zambian delegation is expected in the country on Friday morning. This will be the  second  qualifying match for Kenya who drew 1-1 with Congo Brazzaville two months ago top Pool E with one point.

Referees Mutaz Khairalla, Haitham Ahmed, Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim and Mohmood Ismael-Sudan from Sudan have been assigned this match, and Asfaw Bergashaw from Ethiopia will be the match commissioner.