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Marcelo, Okumu return as Engin Firat names Harambee Stars squad for AFCON qualifiers
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 27.08.24. | 11:35
Harambee Stars will kick off their campaign with a match against Zimbabwe on Friday, September 6, 2024
Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat has announced the provisional squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia, scheduled to take place between September 2-10, 2024.
Stars will kick off their campaign with a match against Zimbabwe on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Stade Mandela National Stadium in Uganda, followed by their second game against Namibia in South Africa on September 10.
Firat’s squad consists mainly of familiar faces, with several players making a return to the national team. He has retained his three goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, Bryne Omondi, and Ian Otieno.
In defense, Joseph Okumu and Erick Ouma, who missed the March and June international breaks due to injury, make a comeback after recovering. Amos Nondi, who missed the World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast, also returns. There is a first-ever senior team call-up for Gor Mahia’s Sylvester Owino.
In midfield, Eric Johana, who has had disciplinary issues in the last two international breaks, is recalled. KCB’s Patrick Otieno, who impressed during the COSAFA Cup in South Africa, has also been called up to the team.
In attack, Michael Olunga is joined by Benson Omala, Jonah Ayunga, Victor Omune, and John Avire.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC-South Africa), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)
Defenders: Collins Sichenje (Vodvojina-Serbia), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi (Ararat-Armenia), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)
Midfielders: Kayci Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United-Scotland), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar-Iran), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad-Romania), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Clifton Miheso (AFC Leopards).
Patrick Otieno (KCB), Duke Abuya (Young Africans-Tanzania), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg-Sweden)
Forwards: John Avire (P. Suez-Egypt), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Safa SC-Lebanon), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards)
