Gor Mahia players dominate latest Harambee Stars CHAN squad for South Sudan tie

National team head coach Engin Firat has announced the latest Harambee Stars squad to play South Sudan in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers for the CECAFA region.

The squad consists of locally-based players, and Gor Mahia FC leads in the number of players who have been called up with five in total, more than any other local club.

Kogalo’s players in the squad are defenders Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, and Geoffrey Ochieng, as well as midfielders Ronney Onyango and Austine Odhiambo.

Kenya Police FC contributed 4 players to the squad, including former Gor Mahia players Musa Mohamed and Kenneth Muguna. However, Muguna was dropped at the last minute due to injury and was replaced by Clifford Otieno of Nairobi City Stars.

The team is set to leave for South Sudan on Friday for the first match of their two-legged tie to be played on Sunday 27th October at Juba International Stadium. The return leg is slated for 3rd November at Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium.

The winner of this tie will meet either Rwanda or Djibouti in December for the final stage of qualification. The CECAFA region is getting 4 guaranteed slots for the upcoming CHAN tournament 2025 to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Here is the full squad travelling to South Sudan:

Goalkeepers: Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Farouk Shikalo (KCB), Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Defenders: Musa Mohammed (Kenya Police FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Bernard Ondiek (Posta Rangers), Brian Eshihanda (Kakamega Homeboyz), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC)

Midfielders: Vincent Owino ( Nairobi City Stars), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Clifford Otieno (Nairobi City Stars), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Issa Lumumba (Ulinzi Stars), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker FC), Matthias Isogol (Mara Sugar), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks)

Forwards: Victor Omune (AFC Leopards), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Mathew Tegisi (Shabana), Patrick Otieno (KCB)