Harambee Stars receive foreign-based duo boost ahead of Pakistan clash

Wednesday 14th June, 2023 09:53 AM| By Collins Amanga

Harambee Stars have received a significant boost ahead of the Four Nations Tournament in Mauritius, which kicks off on Wednesday.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has officially announced that versatile players Collins Sichenje and Daniel Anyembe have joined the Harambee Stars squad in preparation for their first match against Pakistan.

Sichenje weekend action

Sichenje, currently on loan at KUPS from AIK, successfully linked up with the national team in Mauritius after completing his ninth Veikkausliiga appearance on Sunday.

In that match, his team secured a 2-0 victory against VPS, with Sichenje playing as a defender. Notably, he contributed to KUPS’ impressive league position, as they now sit at the top of the Finnish league with 28 points.

Harambee Stars utility Daniel Anyembe celebrates with teammate at Viiborg. PHOTO/Viborg — Harambee Stars utility Daniel Anyembe celebrates with a teammate at Viiborg. PHOTO/Viborg

Meanwhile, Anyembe, a defender for Viborg, recently played a full 90 minutes in a match where his team narrowly lost to Midtjylland by a single goal.

This season, Anyembe has showcased his skills in 23 appearances, accumulating a total of 1,892 minutes on the field. With 21 starts and 16 matches seeing him complete the entire 90 minutes, Anyembe has been a consistent presence in the squad.

Final session done 💯

We’re set for our first match tomorrow.

🔗 https://t.co/3vt4P6KxnJ pic.twitter.com/KhsQAz5X38
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) June 13, 2023

The FKF issued a statement confirming the arrival of Sichenje and Anyembe, emphasizing that their inclusion has significantly strengthened the Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming tournament.

“After fulfilling their club commitments, Collins Shichenje and Daniel Anyembe have finally joined the National Team in Mauritius. Their inclusion adds more depth and strength to the squad,” FKF announced in a statement on their website.

On Monday, June 12, 2023, the Harambee Stars team arrived in Mauritius, all set for their upcoming friendly matches in the highly anticipated Four Nations Tournament.

Shortly after their arrival, the team wasted no time and held their first training session on the same day, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. On Tuesday, they had the final session.

The opening encounter of the tournament is scheduled to take place at the Cote D’Or National Sports Complex on Wednesday, June 14, at 2 pm EAT, with Pakistan as their opponent.

Harambee Stars utility Collins Sichenje in a past ttraining session at AIK. PHOTO/AIK/Facebok. — Harambee Stars utility Collins Sichenje in a past ttraining session at AIK. PHOTO/AIK/Facebook.

This match will mark the beginning of the two friendly matches lined up for the national team in the tournament.

These matches hold immense significance for Harambee Stars as they serve as vital preparation for their forthcoming CAF and FIFA assignments, which are scheduled for November later this year.

The team aims to utilize these friendly matches as crucial stepping stones to fine-tune their strategies and enhance their performance on the international stage.

Harambee Stars Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Ian Otieno, Byrne Odhiambo, Brian Bwire.

Defenders

David Ochieng, Kevin Luke Otiala, Collins Shichenje, Robinson Kamura, Amos Nondi, Eric Ouma, Daniel Sakari, Abud Omar.

Midfielders

Daniel Anyembe, Richard Odada, Charles Ouma, Richard Odada, Teddy Akumu, Joseph Mwangi, Abdallah Hasan, Clifton Miheso, Victor Omune, Boniface Onyango.

Forwards

Moses Shummah, Benson Omalla, Michael Olunga.