Harambee Stars will miss the services of captain Victor Wanyama, Michael Olunga, Arnold Origi and Ayub Timbe when they take on Zambia on Friday this Friday.
The four were omitted when the Football Kenya Federation released the final list of players who are expected to arrive in camp this week.
There are reports that the four won’t make it to the country due to COVID restrictions in their countries with the move denying Origi the chance to make a comeback to the national team.
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There is a place though for Clarke Oduor who plies his trade in England with Championship side Barnsley and unattached Brian Mandela.
In the absence of Origi, Zesco United’s Ian Otieno is expected to be the man between the sticks in the game against Zambia with Anthony Akumu slated to take the role left by Wanyama. The strike force has AFC Leopards Elvis Rupia, Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars) and Ulinzi Stars’ Oscar Wamalwa fighting to fill the void left by Olunga.
There is no place for Johanna Omolo too in the newly released team but there is an inclusion of Bandari FC forward Abdalla Hassan.
Eleven local-based players have already reported to camp with them having been scheduled to train on Monday.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia) and Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Star, Kenya)
Defenders: Brian Mandela (Unattached), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)
Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaizer Chief, South Africa), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)
Forwards: Elvis Rupia (AFC), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars).
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