Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has named a provisional squad of 28 players to prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches this October, which involve playing African football giants Cameroon home and away.
The matches will played on October 11 in Douala, Cameroon and October 14 in Kampala, Uganda. The players are expected to report to camp on Friday, October 4 to start preparations.
Five players from Gor Mahia have made the provisional squad that includes a mixture of both local and foreign-based players. This makes Gor Mahia the club that has contributed the highest numbers to the national team.
The Gor Mahia contingent include defenders Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, and Geoffrey Ochieng’, as well as midfielders Ronney Onyango and Austine Odhiambo.
The five are becoming regulars in the national team since they were called up before and have been impressive in their performances in national team colours.
The squad also has several former Gor Mahia players who now ply their trade elsewhere. They include captain Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma (Raków Częstochowa, Poland), John Ochieng (Zanaco FC, Zambia), Amos Nondi (Ararat-Armenia), and Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad, Iran).
Former Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla, now playing for Al-Safa in Lebanon, was not called this time round. He was the top scorer for the Kenya Premier League last season while playing for Kogalo.
Coach Firat has also given a first-time call-up to David Odoyo of Tusker FC, while Sydney Lokale of AFC Leopards makes a return to the national team after a long time out.
The return of captain Michael Olunga and Denmark-based Daniel Anyembe to the squad is also a huge boost, as the duo missed the last two qualifier matches due to injury.
Regulars Masoud Juma and Ayub Timbe were not included due to lack of match fitness, the coach said.
Here is the full squad list as announced by the coach.
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)
Defenders: Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Johnstone Omurwa (Abha), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (Rakow)
Midfielders: David Odoyo (Tusker), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), John Ochieng (Zanaco), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
Forwards: John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards)
