Atudo for Calabar as Sharks duo keep Stars places

Atudo for Calabar as Sharks duo keep Stars places

Defender Jockins Atudo of newly promoted Rangers FC will replace Zambia based Zesco FC’s David ‘Calabar’ Owino at the heart of national team Harambee Stars defence during Sunday’s return leg 2017 AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau in Nairobi.

Owino is suspended after collecting a yellow card during Wednesday’s 1-0 loss away to the visitors who arrive for the clash on Saturday before training at Nyayo National Stadium at 4pm local time (+3GMT).

Stars coach Stanley Okumbi also has Greece based winger, Paul Were, who scored Kenya’s goal in their 1-1 draw at Congo Brazzaville available for selection after he missed the first leg clash due to passport issues.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss, Nick Mwendwa, wrote off the chances of Stars making the 2017 finals in Gabon with the team lying bottom of Group E with a point after two loses and a draw in their campaign thus far.

“It’s possible for us with the current team to go for the 2019 AFCON. But it’s better for us if we focused on the 2022 World Cup.

“We shall try and it is possible for us to go for the 2022 World Cup. As you all know the last qualified for the AFCON 13 years ago we want to change that with the structures that we have in place to guide us achieve that and the Government is helping us. That’s where we want to start from,” Mwendwa declared reiterating the pledge he made on February 10 when he won the FKF elections.

Speaking on Thursday during the team’s return, Stars captain, Victor Wanyama, said there was a slim chance of making the Gabon finals if they win all their remaining matches starting Sunday at the game that kicks-off at 4pm local time.

“We have a chance but it’s difficult to qualify since it will depend on the other teams. The important thing is to start winning the remaining games. I don’t think coming late led us to lose, it was all about concentration. It’s hard for players to get used to a new coach at the start, it will take some time but that’s not an excuse to lose the points we lost on Wednesday,” the English Premier League side, Southampton FC, midfield dynamo said.

“We need to work hard and win Sunday’s match. We did not score, that was the problem,” he added.

Controversial National Super League side, Kariobangi Sharks duo of midfielder Patillah Omoto and striker Ovella Ochieng of Kariobangi Sharks retain their places in Okumbi’s squad despite blowing up a storm over their selection and fielding in Guinea Bissau.

Ticket sales will start from Saturday and gates will be opened from noon and closed at 3pm with VIP seating costing Ksh1000 and Ksh300 for terraces.

They will be sold from Saturday at Nairobi’s Kencom and Kenya Cinema and on Sunday they will be available at KK Security booths at Kenya Cinema, Kencom, Riadha House and Lusaka Road and at City Stadium with 18,000 printed.

The Government has assured tight security is in place within and inside the stadium.

SQUAD 

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (Lillestrom-Norway), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia )

Defense: Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United) Omar Bongi (Ulinzi Stars) Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia) James Situma (Tusker) Joaskin  Atudo (Rangers Fc) Brian Mandela (Maritzburg – SA)

Midfielders: Victor Wanyama (Southampton -England) Johanna Omollo (Antwerp -Belgium) Patillah Omotto (Kariobangi Sharks), Erick Johanna (Mathare United) Anthony Kimani, David King’atua (Bandari)  Clifton Miheso (AFC Leopards), Teddy Akumu (Zesco -Zambia )

Strikers: Michael Olunga (Djurgarden -Sweden) Jesse Were (Zesco – Zambia), Timothy Otieno (Posta Rangers) Ovella Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks).

Tags:

Nick Mwendwa Football Kenya Federation Harambee Stars Guinea Bissau Stanley Okumbi 2022 World Cup 2019 AFCON 2017 AFCON Patillah Omotto David 'Calabar' Owino Ovela

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