Harambee Stars to miss international players against South Sudan

Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee will have to do without the services of foreign-based players when Kenya faces South Sudan on Saturday afternoon in an international friendly at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Stars will host the Bright Stars seeking to gather a winning momentum ahead of the final 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifier double against Egypt and Togo.

Additionally, Stars will confront Tanzania twice on March 15 and 18 in Nairobi in their final build-up matches before hosting Egypt on March 25 in the penultimate qualifier duel. Kenya will then travel to Lome for the final group G match on March 29.

Ghost, who named his provisional squad comprised of local players last month will likely relish the opportunity to select the international stars in the first friendly against Tanzania.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the overseas-based players will start flying in from Sunday.

Meanwhile, South Sudan silently jetted in on Wednesday and held their first training session at Nyayo National Stadium. The team however shifted base on Thursday to the Utalii grounds where they will be doing their final touches before match day.

The duo of Tito Okello and Saad Musa who ply their trade in Football Kenya Federation Premier League with Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards respectively are part of the South Sudan squad drafted into the team.

The two made it to the starting team when South Sudan humbled Uganda Cranes 1-0 in an Afcon qualifier match played in November last year at Nyayo.