Shumah among the dropped from Harambee Stars' travelling squad

The Harambee Stars squad departs the country at 8 am on Wednesday morning for Gabon where they are set to get underway their FIFA 2016 World Cup Qualifiers campaign against the host Les Panthers of Gabon on Thursday before playing the republic off Seychelles on Monday the following week.

The team will however leave the country without three players that previouly made a cut to the 28 man provisional squad and Mozzart sport understands that Gor Mahia left back Geoffrey Onyango, Kakamega Homeboyz forward Moses Shummah and Murang’a Seals youngster Eric Balecho are the players dropped from the initial squad.

The team under the tutelage of Turkish Coach Engin Firat held their last training session in Kenya on Tuesday after being in camp for the last four days.

Firat, who has won three matches since taking over the National Team duties, handed a late call-up to Zambia-based defender Dennis Ng’ang’a who comes in place of Joseph Okumu who will have to pass a late fitness test, subject to his release from his parent club Stade Reims’.

2026 WCQ: Harambee Stars faced with injury crisis ahead of Gabon game

Defender Daniel Anyembe has also been ruled out of the two qualifiers owing to an injury he sustained at club level.

Eric Ouma, in the meantime, is in camp but will wait to be assessed by the team’s medical staff to determine whether he could play a part in the qualifiers. Ouma sustained a knock during AIK's last league action against Varnamo and was stretched off in the 89th minute.

Gabon suspends two players ahead of Harambee Stars clash

The rest of the squad is, however, fit and ready for the first match scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Stade de la Rénovation de Franceville at 7 pm EAT.

After their match against Gabon, the Stars will travel to Abidjan, Ivory Coast for the match against Seychelles.

Travelling Squad

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), Joseph Ochuka (Bandari)

Defenders

Nabi Kibunguchy (Orlando City), Hanif Wesonga (KCB), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Eric Ouma (AIK), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Johnstone Omurwa (CF Estrela), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Dennis Ng'ang'a (Zanaco, Zambia)

Midfielders

Duncan Otieno (Gaborone United), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Duke Abuya (Singida), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Eric Johanna (UTA ARAD), Richard Odada (Aalborg), Alfred Scriven (Hodd), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg)

Forwards

Masud Juma (Al Faisaly), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)