Kenya/Congo-Kinshasa: Okumbi Names Harambee Stars Squad for DR Congo Friendly

By Cellestine Olilo

Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi has named 39 players that will go to camp in preparation for an international friendly match against Democratic Republic of Congo set for October 4 this year.

The list features a number of new faces including Kakamega Homeboyz defender Charles Momanyi, Ulinzi Stars custodian James Saruni, Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Kevin Odongo and Collins Omondi (both Posta Rangers).

Former Gor Mahia midfielder Rama Salim, who has not featured for the national team for more than two years, also made a return to the team as did defender Joackins Atudo and Belgian-based midfielder Johanna Omollo.

Omollo has missed the last five matches for the national team with an injury.

Team captain Victor Wanyama, Spain-based midfielder Ismail Gonzalez and the Zesco United trio of David Owino, Jesse Were and Anthony Akumu are expected to feature prominently in the tie.

Stars coach Stanley Okumbi explained that the inclusion of new players is a deliberate move aimed at preparing local based players for the 2018 Africa Nations Championships (Chan).

"We plan to compete favourably in the Chan competition which is only open for local based players only. From now henceforth you shall be seeing more local based players in the national as we try to build a team that will be able to deal with their continental opponents," he said.

Meanwhile, Kenya dropped three places in the latest Fifa rankings released yesterday by the world football governing body.

Harambee Stars are now ranked 91st in the world, down from the position 88 they held last month, and this could be attributed to the 1-1 draw that the team managed against Zambia in Ndola in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the beginning of this month.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia have also dropped one place and follow Kenya at 92nd position in the latest rankings.

Uganda Cranes remain the highest ranked team in the Cecafa region even though they are still placed 65th in the world.

STARS SQUAD

Goalkeepers:

Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), David Okello (Tusker)

Defenders:

David Owino (Zesco United), David Ochieng' (New York Cosmos), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United), Aboud Omar (Slavia Sofia), Eric Ouma, Harun Shakava, Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Collins Omondi, Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Charles Momanyi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Bernard Ochieng' (Vihiga United), Robinson Kamura (Mathare United)

Midfielders:

Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs), Johanna Omollo (Royal Antwerp), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United), Ayub Timbe (Lierse), Paul Were (Archanaikos), Rama Salim (Topolcany), Ismail Gonzalez (Las Palmas), Baron Oketch, Amos Nondi, Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Michael Mutinda (Thika United), Frederick Onyango (Sony Sugar), Victor Majid (Chemelil Sugar),Kenneth Muguna, Kennedy Otieno (Western Stima), Danson Kago (Tusker FC), Eric Johanna (Mathare United), Bernard Mang'oli (AFC Leopards)

Strikers:

Michael Olunga (IF Djurgardens), Jesse Were (Zesco United), Masoud Juma (Sony Sugar), Mark Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars), Jack Bruno (AFC Leopards), Cavin Odongo (Posta Rangers)