Harambee Stars coach Migne names team for friendly matches
What you need to know:
- The Frenchman, who succeeded Belgian Paul Put last month, also named nine players who will be on the reserves list in the event of injury or any other eventuality to the 24 players called up.
New Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne has called up 24 players to the national team in preparation for the coming friendly matches against Swaziland and Equatorial Guinea, scheduled for May 25 and 28 respectively in Nairobi.
The Frenchman, who succeeded Belgian Paul Put last month, also named nine players who will be on the reserves list in the event of injury or any other eventuality to the 24 players called up.
Skipper Victor Wanyama will lead the team with his elder brother McDonald Mariga, who plies his trade at Real Oviedo in Spain and Ismael Gonzalez (CF Fuenlabrada, Spain) also called up to the squad.
Migne will be without Girona striker Michael Olunga, who asked to be excused from the two fixtures due to pre-planned club engagements. Masud Juma, now at Cape Town City in the Premier Soccer League, returns to the national team after some time out with injury and is expected to lead the attack alongside Wazito's Pistone Mutamba and Kariobangi Sharks prodigy Ovella Ochieng.
“We had called Olunga but had to replace him when it became evident he would not make it for the two matches,” Migné is quoted as saying on the FKF website.
“We, however, expect him to be part of the squad that will travel to India for the Hero Intercontinental Cup scheduled to begin on June 1, 2018."
TIMBE RETURNS
China-based Ayub Timbe, who is suspended for Stars next 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana in September in Nairobi, has also been included in the squad that has also six Gor Mahia players.
Gor's utility Philemon Otieno, skipper Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango, plus the midfield trio of Humphrey Mieno, Francis Kahata, George Odhiambo have all made the squad.
Former Gor Mahia skipper Musa Mohammed, who is currently unattached after parting ways with Albanian side FK Tirana, is also in the mix. Erick "Marcelo" Ouma, now with KF Tirana, has set to make a return after a lengthy spell out.
The team reports to camp on Monday at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, with the friendlies set to be played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars)
Defenders
Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Musa Mohammed (Unnatached), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Bolton Omwenga (Kariobangi Sharks), Michael Kibwage (AFC Leopards), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (KF Tirana)
Midfielders
Ismael Gonzalez (CF Fuenlabrada, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), McDonald Mariga (Real Oviedo, Spain), Ayub Timbe (Heilongjiang, China), Humphrey Mieno (Gor Mahia), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards)
Strikers
Masud Juma (Cape Town City, South Africa), Pistone Mutamba (Wazito FC), Ovella Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks)
Reserve Players
Michael Olunga (Girona FC, Spain), Marvin Omondi (AFC Leopards), Patillah Omotto (Kariobangi Sharks), Dennis Sikhayi (AFC Leopards), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), Robert Arot (Nakuru All Stars), Geoffrey Shiveka (Kariobangi Sharks), Chrispin Oduor (Mathare United)
