Timbe returns as Migne names Harambee Stars squad for S. Leone clash

Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne has named a 30-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group "F" qualifier against Sierra Leone slated for November 18 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The West African nation, who beat Kenya 2-1 June last year in the opening round, were suspended by world football governing body, Fifa last month due to government interference.

The move forced the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to cancel their double header against Ghana in October as Kenya picked four points from Ethiopia over two legs to top the group on seven points.

“The Executive committee will take a decision before the next qualifiers day regarding the Sierra Leone federation situation,” Caf Communication Director Nathalie Rabe told Nation Sport.

Kenya is also set to play a friendly match during the November 12-20 international window regardless of the Leone Stars' situation.

Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Renhe forward Ayub Timbe returns to the team after completing his three-match suspension and is expected to provide more options in the flanks beyond Sweden-based duo Eric Johanna and Ovella Ochieng' as well as Kazakhstan-based Paul Were.

Another returnee is Masud Juma, who last turned out for the team in the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final against Zanzibar. Juma has been in good form since joining United Arab Emirates (UAE) side Dibba Al Fujairah in September.

Migne has also called up England based duo of Jonah Ayunga and Henry Ochieng' with a view of assessing them further for upcoming assignments.

Ayunga was first called up August last year by Stanley Okumbi but he didn’t link up with the squad after sustaining an injury while playing for Galway United in Ireland. He currently features for English fifth tier side Sutton United.

Midfielder Ochieng’, who plays for another English fifth tier side Braintree Town, has been called up for the first time after being spotted by coach Migne during his visit to England in September where he also mended fences with skipper Victor Wanyama.

The pair will compete in a well established squad that has registered three wins and a draw in the last four matches against Ghana, Malawi and Ethiopia.

There is no place for deputy captain David Owino who is still nursing an injury with the rets of the squad comprising players who did duty in the last three qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who recently completed a move to Ethiopian giants St George, completes a list of 19 foreign based players with eleven from the local league.

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (St Georges, Ethiopia), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya)

Defenders

Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya)

Midfielders

Ismael Gonzalez (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Eric Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Henry Ochieng (Braintree Town, England), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United, Kenya), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya)

Forwards

Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Jonah Ayunga (Sutton United, England), Masud Juma (Al Fujairah, UAE), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund, Sweden), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka, Kenya)