Official: Cecafa matches shifted from Kisumu due to ‘political situation’

Football Kenya Federation has made a U-turn and shifted the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup matches that were to be played at the Kisumu County Stadium to the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos over what it terms as ‘political situation’.

FKF’s Communications and Public Relations Manager Barry Otieno said: “In light of the political situation in the country at the moment there have been concerns from visiting teams to play in Kisumu.

“As a result CECAFA and FKF have made a decision to have the tournament kickoff in other areas as we monitor the situation in Kisumu.

In light of the aforementioned, kindly plan with Machakos and Kakamega, with Kisumu in mind.”

There has been disquiet within the football ranks that differences between the Kisumu County Government and the federation may have triggered the changes.

The Kisumu County Government, Citizen Digital understands, had committed to hosting the teams to be domiciled in the lake side city during the tournament as well as catering for their local transport costs.

It however remains unclear where things may have gone wrong. As much as the FKF cites ‘political situation’ the lake side city recently successfully hosted the Dala Sevens though other teams pulled out citing ‘security concerns’

Meanwhile, Thika United midfielder Said Tsuma has been called up to the Harambee Stars squad ahead of the Challenge Cup.

The midfielder replaces Gor Mahia’s Kenneth Muguna who has been ruled out due to injury.

Stars, under the tutelage of new coach Paul Put, reported to camp on Sunday. The Stars take on Rwanda in their first match of the regional showpiece  on Sunday at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

Full Squad in Camp

Goalkeepers

Boniface, Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Gabriel Andika (AFC Leopards), Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)

Defenders

Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Charles Momanyi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Dennis Shikhayi (AFC Leopards), Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Wellington Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Omar Mbongi (Ulinzi Stars) Isaac Kipyegon (Zoo Kericho)

Midfielders

Said Tsuma (Thika United), Ernest Wendo (Gor Mahia), Whyvonne Issuza (AFC Leopards), Patillah Omotto (Kariobangi Sharks), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Ovellah Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks), Lawrence Juma (Nzoia Sugar)

Strikers

Samuel Onyango (Ulinzi Stars), Kepha Aswani (Nakumatt), George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Masoud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks), Vincent Oburu (AFC Leopards), Stephen Waruru (Ulinzi Stars), Benjamin Mosha (Sony Sugar), Nicholas Kipkirui (Zoo Kericho)

Additional reporting by FKF