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Bwire, Sakari join Harambee Stars camp in South Africa
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 12.11.24. | 17:32
Kenya is set to face Zimbabwe on Friday before taking on Namibia on Tuesday next week. Both matches will be played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has made late call-ups to the duo of Daniel Sakari and Brian Bwire ahead of the final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier matches.
According to Football Kenya Federation, Bwire steps in for Ian Otieno while Sakari replaces Adam Wilson, who will miss the qualifiers on compassionate grounds following the passing of his grandmother.
The two are not new to the national team as they have featured in both AFCON, and World Cup among other international assignments qualifiers before.
Recently, Sakari featured in two 2025 CHAN qualifier matches against South Sudan, where Kenya lost 3-1 on aggregate, crashing out of the hunt for a ticket to the finals.
Despite losing to South Sudan, Stars will grace the tournament as one of the host nations.
Bwire’s last engagement with the national team was in October last year when Stars held Russia to a 2-2 draw in a friendly match played in Antalya Turkey.
Kenya is set to face Zimbabwe on Friday before taking on Namibia on Tuesday next week. Both matches will be played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
While Sakari will have to adapt to life in Polokwane, Bwire will have it seamless as he plays professional football in the South African top tier.
The former Tusker goalkeeper joined Polokwane City in July following the expiry of his two-year-long deal with the Brewers.
He replaces Otieno, who was expected to compete for the starting duties in the two matches owing to his form at club level.
Just like Bwire, Otieno moved to South Africa before the start of the season after parting ways with former Zambian champions Zesco United.
The former AFC Leopards man has been on top of his game at Richards Bay, helping the team reach the semifinals of the Carling Cup. He has also been on top form in league matches.
Both Sakari and Bwire previously shared the dressing room in the national team, at Kariobangi Sharks and Tusker.
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