Wanga out as Migne names 27-man Stars squad

The Kenyan Premier League top scorer Allan Wanga was the surprise omission as Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne named his 27-man squad for a training camp in France.

Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Brian Bwire, whose initial inclusion to the provision team of 30 was the subject of intense debate, was also left out along with AFC Leopards midfielder Whyvonne Isuza.

The squad should have been trimmed to 26 but Migne said Clifton Miheso had been included as a back-up plan for Paul Were whom he said has a hamstring complication but has tagged him along.

Stars met President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier today for the handing over of the national flag with Migne adding the head of state told the team to play as team.

The team which leaves the country tonight, will be based at Marcoussis, south of Paris where they will pitch their training camp.

The final squad of 23 will be named 10 days before the African Cup of Nations which kick off on the 21st of June in Egypt.

During their stay in France, Harambee Stars will play two friendly matches against Madagascar and DRC Congo before heading out to Cairo for the games.

Notably, the squad has only two natural strikers, Masoud Juma who is currently unattached, and Kashiwa Reysol’s Michael Olunga.

Migne has meanwhile carried 10 defenders, with the rest fitting in the midfield and goalkeeping, the later department sealed by three.

Stars met President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier today for the handing over of the national flag with Migne adding the head of state told the team to play as team.

Speaking during the team naming at the Safari Park Hotel which soon followed the flag handover, Migne has slammed local coaches who have been proposing players to the national team.

“I have heard coaches who have been saying some players should have been included in the team. That is not professional and they should respect my work. I care for the result that a team I leadregisters.

“I have respect for those coaches because of what they have achieved in their careers but on this I fault them,” a firm Migne said.

On dropping of Wanga, Migne said the Kakamega Homeboyz goal poacher has not been at his best in the initial  training camp in Kasarani, while commending Sofaka’s John Avire who has made the cut.

“He has shown me he has quality to in the team. He has the zeal and the intention, of course he has to keep doing his best as we continue with preparations preparations,” explained the Frenchman.

Meanwhile, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa has said a second round qualification in the biennial event will be a minimum target for Kenya, a milestone never achieved before.

“We are hoping to play in the second round of Afcon, but we cannot limit ourselves beyond that. Anything is possible, we can go up to the quarters or all the way and bring home the title,” an optimistic Mwendwa told.

Only a section of the players were ava available for the luncheon, mostly the local based with only Miheso and Johanna Omolo representing the foreign legion.

HARAMBEE STARS SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faruk Shikalo

Defenders: Abud Omar, Joash Onyango, Joseph Okumu, Musa Mohammed, David Owino, Bernard Ochieng, Brian Mandela, Philemon Otieno, Eric Ouma

Midfielders: Victor Wanyama, Anthony Akumu, Ismael Gonzalez, Ayub Timbe, Francis Kahata, Ovella Ochieng, Dennis Odhiambo, Eric Johanna, Paul Were, Cliffton Miheso, Johanna Omollo

Forwards: John Avire, Masud Juma, Christopher Mbamba, Michael Olunga

-More soon…