Mariga recalled as Okumbi names Harambee Stars squad
Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga during a past training session. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- Mariga, who is currently attached at Spanish side Real Oviedo, makes a return to the squad skippered by his younger brother Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur) after more than three years.
- Harambee Stars interim coach Stanley Okumbi also included CF Fuenlabrada (Spain) midfielder Ismael Gonzales, Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Paul Were, Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium) and Ayub Timbe (China) in his 24-man squad ahead of the two friendly matches that will be played in Marrakech, Morocco.
Veteran midfielder McDonald Mariga has been recalled to the Harambee Stars squad ahead of their international friendly matches against Comoros and Central Africa Republic later this month.
Mariga, who is currently attached at Spanish side Real Oviedo, makes a return to the squad skippered by his younger brother Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur) after more than three years.
He last featured for Stars during the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho in Nairobi in August 2014.
Harambee Stars interim coach Stanley Okumbi also included CF Fuenlabrada (Spain) midfielder Ismael Gonzales, Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Paul Were, Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium) and Ayub Timbe (China) in his 24-man squad ahead of the two friendly matches that will be played in Marrakech, Morocco.
There is also space for Kariobangi Skarks forward Eric Kapaito - fresh from hitting a hat-trick in the Kenyan Premier League over the weekend - in the team.
Stars tackle scheduled to play Comoros on March 24 and the Central African Republic three days later in the Fifa international calendar.
Football Kenya Federation said in a statement on Friday that the team will go into camp on March 19.
Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch, who has been playing in the absence of Arnold Origi, is the surprise exclusion from the squad with upcoming Kariobangi Sharks shot-stopper John Oyemba and Bandari Faruk Shikalo joining Posta Rangers' number one Patrick Matasi in the squad.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks), Faruk Shikalo (Bandari)
Defenders
Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), David Ochieng, (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Abud Omar (Slava Sofia, Bulgaria)
Midfielders
Patilah Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia), Athuman Ismael Gonzales (CF Fuenlabrada, Spain), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), McDonald Mariga (Real Oviedo, Spain), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Eric Johana Omondi (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden)
Forwards
Ayub Timbe (Heilongjiang FC, China), Cliffton Miheso (Buildcon FC, Zambia), Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks), Jesse Were (Zesco FC, Zambia), Michael Olunga (Girona FC, Spain)
