Seven new faces as Okumbi rolls out latest Stars squad

Harambee Stars First Team Coach Stanley Okumbi has included seven new call-ups with another six making a comeback to the national side ahead of friendlies against Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

On Wednesday, Okumbi unveiled a list of 26 local based players for the games that will be played on March 23 and 26 with the squad dominated by those who featured in the Kenyan Premier League All Stars that lost 2-1 to a youthful Hull City Select XI.

According to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the two friendlies are in preparation for the upcoming 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone set for June.

KPL 2016 Midfielder of the Year first runners-up and new AFC Leopards signing, Whyvonne Isuza is among the fresh faces in the team alongside Maurice Ojwang’, Amos Asembeka, Moses Kuria, Samuel Onyango, Jeremy Wanjala and Vincent Oburu.

Kenneth Muguna who was named the KPL Player of the Year for 2016 makes a comeback to the squad having made the switch from Western Stima to record domestic champions, Gor Mahia.

Also returning to the fold is Kariobangi Sharks midfielder, Ovella Ochieng, who failed to impress after being handed a debut in the side last year during the botched 2017 AFCON qualification bid.

David Mwangi (Mathare United), Sammy Meja (Thika United), Samuel Mbugua (Posta Rangers) and Bernard Mangoli (AFC Leopards) round the list of those returning to Okumbi’s team.

The First Coach said the players including former Ulinzi Stars striker John Mark Makwatta who is headed to Slovakia will report to camp on March 19.

“A further list of foreign-based players called up for the same will be availed in due course as we don’t expect them to link up with the rest of the squad until the commencement of the FIFA friendlies window,” Okumbi explained according to FKF.

Federation Chief Executive, Robert Muthomi, said the Uganda game had been pushed back by a day following consultations with their FUFA counterparts.

LOCAL SQUAD

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).

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).

Strikers

Jeremiah Wanjala (Kakamega Homeboyz), Mark Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars) and Vincent Oburu.