Eight kicked out of Stars' training camp

Eight players have been dropped from the national soccer team, the Harambee Stars, to create room for foreign-based players, among them captain Musa Otieno.

Otieno last year announced his retirement from international football.

Stars' head coach Bernard Lama, however, said it would be upon the Cape Town Santos defender to decide whether he will accept the invitation or stay in international retirement.

"But we need Musa because of his experience and motivation to the young players. We are going through a transitional period and young players are coming up. It will be important to have Musa in the team because he carves that fatherly figure," said Lama during a press conference at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

He added: "If Musa does not want to come, its OK but I do not see any reason why he should not come because he has said before that he is ready to continue playing for his country and we want him to play."

Lama said that the eight players who were dropped on Tuesday evening, had failed to meet the required standards set but added that the door was still open for them.

"The door is not shut for them, they have promised to work hard and make it to the team. But for now, they have to go because they have not met the required standards and we also have to create room for the foreign based players," said Lama.

He said the time remaining before the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Eritrea was so short and he needed a small squad which he can concentrate on and focus on the match, which is set for September 3 at Kasarani.

"I have had 20 days with the team and realised that there is so much to be done. We need to work on their physical fitness and other techniques which are still wanting-maybe if I had 50 days, it would have been better."

"We need to appreciate that the standards are very low and must improve, then set our goals to achieving set standards."

He said that since the two friendlies with Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, the team had vastly improved in the wanting areas that saw them go down 1-0 in both ties.

"There is good spirit in the team. The players are happy and working hard and they are very aware how important the game with Eritrea is. It is only by playing for the national team that they can market themselves abroad."

The players dropped are Brian Kaka, Alfred Oduor, Anthony Nderitu, Joseph Shikokoti, Dennis Okoth, Zakayo Kisekeli, Noah Abich and Bernard Makuto. 

According to Stars' team manager Anthony Origi, all the eight foreign-based players called are expected to link up with the team on Monday. They are Otieno (Cape Town Santos, South Africa), Dennis Oliech (FC Nantes, France), MacDonald Mariga (Helsingborg, Sweden), Robert Mambo BK Hacken, Sweden), John Muiruri (Moss FK, Norway), Bonventure Maruti (Follo, Norway), Wycliffe Juma (Lov Ham, Norway) and John Baraza (Yanga, Tanzania).

Meanwhile, the international friendly against Tanzania has been called off. Kenya Football Federation secretary Dan Omino said the friendly, which was to be played at Kasarani on Saturday, will not take place after Tanzania cancelled their tour of Kenya. Instead, Stars will play against a local club.