M. KisengeFirat recalls Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo ahead of Qatar, South Sudan friendlies
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 29.08.23. | 16:30
The team is expected to report to camp on Sunday, September 3, 2023
Gor Mahia creative midfielder Austin Odhiambo has been recalled to the national team, Harambee Stars ahead of the Qatar and South Sudan friendly matches.
The call comes barely a day after coach Engin Firat was heavily criticized for overlooking players drawn from Gor and Tusker when he named the provisional squad for the upcoming assignments.
Many took to social media to call out Firat for ignoring the outstanding players from the two sides that went neck to neck in the race for the title in the past season.
Odhiambo, who was among the best performers in the second leg of last season returns to the national team after years out.
Much as he has played for the national U20 and 23 teams, he has is yet to make his debut for the senior team.
While naming the squad on Monday, Firat, recalled a number of players including winger Ayub Timbe who plies trade in China with Nanjing City FC.
The Turkish gaffer also reserved places for central defender Johnstone Omurwa who missed the Four Nations tournament held in June. Omurwa plies trade in the Portuguese top tier with Estrela.
Bradford left back Clarke Oduor was considered after three years of being overlooked. The English based player debuted for the national team in October 2020 in a friendly match against Zambia at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Kenya Police forward Elvis Rupia, and his counterpart David Ochieng also make the list, while Abud Omar of Kenya Police and Moses Shummah from Kakamega Homeboyz have retained their spots as well.
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Patrick Matasi and Abud Omar who are attached to Police were also included in the team.
Kenya will play Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in an away match on September 7, 2023, and South Sudan at home on September 12, 2023.
The team is expected to report to camp on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
