Near full house for Harambee Stars ahead of Russia showdown
By Joel Sang, October 13, 2023Harambee Stars camp in Turkey ahead of an international friendly against Russia on Monday, October 16, 2023, is nearly full.
The players called up by Engin Firat have all checked in except Johnstone Omurwa, who is expected to arrive on Friday.
The match has been organised to test Harambee Stars’ readiness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying assignment.
The qualification will start in November, and ahead of that, Harambee Stars have engaged in a number of matches to prepare themselves.
Kenya are in Group F against Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and the Seychelles.
Meanwhile, after he selected his latest squad, Engin Firat has attracted criticism but has continued to defend his choices.
Two of the players that were missing when the squad was named were Daniel Anyembe and Elvis Rupia, and the Turkish coach explained the absence of the two.
“Look, in the last two matches, for example, [Elvis] Rupia was in the starting lineup, and he was goal-getter number one in Kenya. He made a good money transfer to Tanzania, but he is not with us now.
“Therefore, sometimes there are changes to the squad depending on the form and what the team needs, but I really do not care if I have to answer to every player,” Firat said in regards to Rupia’s absence.
Harambee Stars squad in Turkey:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Bryne Odhiambo
Defenders: Joseph Stanley Okumu, Brian Mandela, Collins Sichenje, Erick Ouma, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari, Vincent Harper, Amos Nondi.
Midfielders: Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Ovella Ochieng.
Forwards: Masoud Juma, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, Moses Shummah, Michael Olunga.