This archive report was first published on 20 August 2021.
On Friday, Harambee Stars head coach Jacob Mulee named a 36-man provisional squad for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda next month, sparking surprise among fans after omitting several big names, including Captain Victor Wanyama.
Wanyama, alongside veteran midfielder Johanna Omollo and Simba SC influential defender Joash Onyango, are some of the notable absentees from the squad.
According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the named players will report to camp immediately after the Football Kenya Federation Premier League season ends this Sunday.
Notable inclusions in the squad include KAA Gent (Belgium) defender Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma of AIK (Sweden), Al-Duhail’s (Qatar) Michael Olunga, and the Zambia-based trio of Ian Otieno, Duke Abuya, and Duncan Otieno.
Sweden-based Eric Johanna also makes a return to the team.
FKF Premier League top scorer Erick Kapaito leads a stellar ensemble of locally-based players with Lawrence Juma, Eugene Asike, and Elvis Rupia also invited to the squad.
Coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee expressed optimism in the squad, stating, “This is a strong group of players, we have a superb blend of experience, youth, ability, and personalities. This is a group of players who have what it takes to start well against Uganda and go all the way.”
Local-based players report for camp on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, while their foreign-based counterparts are expected to start arriving from Monday, August 30, 2021.
Harambee Stars play Uganda at 3 pm on September 2, 2021, at Nyayo Stadium, after which they will travel to face Rwanda on Friday, September 3, 2021.
