Firat drops five from Harambee Stars squad

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has dropped five players from his provisional squad, now preparing for their high profile friendly match against Iran set for Tuesday in Tehran.

Nzoia Sugar’s Hassan Beja and Joseph Mwangi who were in Stars camp for the first time have been released, as well as AFC Leopards goalkeeper Levis Opiyo.

This means Firat is now left with Police FC goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, Ian Otieno of Zesco United (Zambia) and KCB FC’s Bryne Odhiambo to choose from in the goalkeeping department.

Also dropped are KCB’s Maurice Ojwang and Alvin Mang’eni of Police FC, only four days before the team jets out for Iran.

Citizen Digital understands only 23 players will travel to Iran, thus more players will be axed before the team’s departure on Sunday. Also, forward Masoud Juma who is still in the squad may not travel.

All foreign based players have arrived in camp, ahead of their first match since early last year when FIFA slapped Kenya with an indefinite suspension following disbandment of the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) by former CS Amb. Amina Mohammed.

Former Gor Mahia left-back Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma who now plays for Swedish top side AIK is chuffed with the return to international football.

“It feels great to be back. We have been out for a year and it really affected us. We are starting from where left, and so we are looking forward to the upcoming matches,” said Ouma.

Another former Gor ace Kenneth Muguna, now featuring for Tanzania’s Azam FC is equally elated, revealing how difficult it was for them to be out of international football last year.

“It was tough; you know representing your country is the highest level of football. We were however patient and we knew after all those things, we would be back. Now we are back indeed, the mood in camp is great and everyone is excited ahead of the match,” explained Muguna, who also played for the now defunct Western Stima.

Without any competitive match ahead for Harambee Stars having been locked out of the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers which started before Kenya’s suspension was lifted by FIFA late last year, coach Firat is laying foundations for his three-year period he is expected to be lead the team.

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Police FC), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Bryne Odhiambo (KCB)

Joseph Okumu (Gent, Belgium), Brian Mandela (South Africa), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Andrew Juma (Bandari), David Ochieng (Mathare United), Collins Shichenje (AIK, Sweden), Mohamed Siraj (Bandari), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg, Denmark), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Aboud Omar (Kenya Police)

Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Richard Odada (Philadelphia Union, USA), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu, Japan), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Kenneth Muguna (Azam, Tanzania), Abdallah Hasan (Bandari), Duke Abuya (Kenya Police), Wilkims Ochieng (FC Koper, Slovenia), Moses Mudavadi (KK Homeboyz), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards)

Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia), Elvis Rupia (Kenya Police), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi, Morocco), Alfred Scriven (IL Hødd, Norway)