Abud Omar, Calabar and Joash recalled to national team in Firat's first squad

New Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has included old guards David ‘Calabar’ Odhiambo, Abud Omar and the experienced Joash ‘Berlin Wall’ Onyango in his first squad with the national team after his unveiling.

Since taking over on a two-month contract from immediate former head coach Jacob Ghost Mulee, Firat has opted to recall a number of players who had been overlooked in recent team call ups while summoning a few fresh faces as well.

The coach has recalled Spain-based Ismael Gonzalez, Ovella Ochieng who plays in South Africa and goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo who all featured in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Joash Onyango of Simba FC in Tanzania is also recalled to the squad for the first time since March.

US-based midfielder Philip Mayaka and Gor Mahia youngster Frank Odhiambo get their maiden call up to the national team in the 34 man provisional squad. Richard Odada, who made his first senior start in the opening match of the campaign against Uganda, is also selected after an impressive outing with the team.

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Kenya is scheduled to play Mali in a two-legged FIFA World Cup qualifier in Morocco and Nairobi. The Western African state cannot host international fixtures due to the unavailability of standard pitches so they will host Kenya in Morocco.

Local based players enter camp on Thursday, September 30, 2021, in Nairobi. Foreign-based players will link up with the team based on their league commitments over the weekend.

Harambee Stars play Mali away, in Morocco, on October 7, before travelling back for the home match on October 10, 2021. The team leaves for Morocco on October 4, 2021. Kenya is currently second on the standings on two points, two behind leaders Mali, and level on points with Uganda.

Goalkeepers

Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Faruk Shikhalo (KMC, Tanzania), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Brian Bwire (Tusker)

Defenders

Joseph Stanley Okumu (KAA Gent, Belgium), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), David Odhiambo (Napsa, Zambia), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Eugene Asike (Tusker), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), David Owino (KCB), Abud Omar (AEL Larisa, Greece), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Bolton Omwenga (Kagera Sugar, Tanzania)

Midfielders

Richard Odada (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka), Patila Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), Ismael Gonzalez (Real Murcia, Spain), Kenneth Muguna (Azam,

Tanzania), Duke Abuya (Nkana, Zambia), Keagan Ndemi (Bandari), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker), Regean Otieno (KCB), Erick Zakayo (Tusker), Ovella Ochieng (Marumo

Gallants, South Africa), Philip Mayaka (Colorado Springs, USA), Musa Masika (Wazito), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari)

Forwards

Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Henry Meja (Tusker, Kenya), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Erick Kapaito (Arba Minch, Ethiopia)