Kolkheti sunk but Marcelo makes Harambee Stars cut

Kenyan international Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma retained First Coach Stanley Okumbi’s faith as he was named among 10 other foreign-based players just hours after his side FC Kolkheti went down 2-1 to Torpedo Kutaisi in a Georgian Premier League tie.

Okumbi called up the 11 on Monday to link up with the rest of the team ahead of friendlies against Uganda and DRC Congo Scheduled for March 23 and 26 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Ouma, who has a become a regular fixture at the national team since making his debut last year in a friendly match against Sudan is joined by captain Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Abud Omar (Slava Sofia, Bulgaria), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), David Ochieng (New York Cosmos, USA), Erick Ouma (FC Kolkheti, Georgia).

Others include Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Michael Olunga (Guizhou Zhicheng, China), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg, South Africa) Jesse Were (Zesco, Zambia) and  Johanna Omollo (Royal Antwerp, Belgium).

Ouma’s gametime on Sunday represented his fourth successive appearance as a starter at left-back as he slowly cements a place at FC Kolkheti.

Speaking to Citizen Digital from Kutaisi, the third most populous city in Georgia, Ouma said he is impressed at how quickly he has adapted to life abroad and emphasising he was impressed with his individual contribution despite their latest loss.

“I’m happy; the game was good although we lost. At the end of the day it’s your contribution to the team, individual assessment is very important.

“We however deserved something but the red card of our captain cost us. The approach our coach was applying was defensive, so losing a defender destabilized us,” Ouma said.

It was was the second away loss for the Poti-based club this season, as they slipped further down the Georgian top division log to seventh.

DRC Congo and Uganda are expected to jet into the country later on Monday.

Find below the full list of players called up for the two friendlies.

Goalkeepers

David Okello (Tusker), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)

Defenders

David Mwangi (Mathare United), Eugene Asike (Tusker), Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Maurice Ojwang (Western Stima), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Robinson Kamura (AFC Leopards), Sammy Meja (Thika United), Simon Mbugua (Posta Rangers), Abud Omar (Slava Sofia, Bulgaria), David Ochieng (New York Cosmos, USA), Erick Ouma (FC Kolkheti, Georgia), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg, South Africa)

Midfielders

Amos Asembeka (Sony Sugar), Benard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards), Erick  Johanna (Un-attached), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC), Joseph Kuria (Posta Rangers), Kenneth  Muguna (Gor Mahia), Noah Wafula (Tusker FC), Ochieng  Ovella (Kariobangi Sharks), Osborne Monday (Kariobangi Sharks), Samuel Onyango (Ulinzi Stars), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), Johanna Omollo (Royal Antwerp, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England).

Strikers

Jeremiah Wanjala (Kakamega Homeboyz), Mark Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars) and Vincent Oburu, Jesse Were (Zesco, Zambia), Michael Olunga (Guizhou Zhicheng, China)