No Wanyama, Olunga as Kimanzi confirms team for Zambia friendly

Harambee Stars on Sunday, October 4 kicked off preparations for the scheduled international friendly match against Zambia, set for Friday.

The 12 local-based players who reported to camp were first screened for COVID-19 in line with the Ministry of Heath protocols.

Their fellow foreign based players are expected to start checking into the camp on Sunday night.

Notably, mercurial striker Michael Olunga and captain Victor Wanyama have been dropped in the final squad for the match, from the initial list announced last week.

Cercle Brugge midfielder Johanna Omollo, who netted Kenya’s only goal in the 1-1 draw against Togo in the last 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier will also miss the match.

Veteran goalkeeper Arnold Origi has is unavailbale too, leaving Zambia based Ian Otieno and Timothy Odhiambo to contest for the position. Origi was expected to make a comeback into the team after five years absence.

Citizen Digital understands COVID-19 related issues within different jurisdictions where some of the players feature occasioned their absence.

Brian Mandela, who was dropped from the 2019 African Cup of Nations team following a nasty injury makes a comeback, with Barnsley FC’s man Clarke Oduor also confirmed.

The team will kick off residential training on Monday, ahead of the friendly match set for October 9, 2020.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers

Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Defenders

Brian Mandela (Unattached), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)

Midfielders

Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari FC, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards

Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masoud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).