EMERGING STARS: Five surprise ommissions by Okumbi

On Sunday, Kenya U23 head coach Stanley Okumbi named his provisional squad for the upcoming 2021 CECAFA Senior Championship set to be held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia from July 3-18.

The list consists some names of young players who have been instrumental for their clubs this season, while at the same time there are other names of players who have barely featured this season.

But, who are some of the surprise exclusions from the squad released by the Posta Rangers coach?

Frank Odhiambo - Gor Mahia

Until May 2021, Frank Odhiambo was yet to make his league debut for Gor Mahia. But when he did, he became a household name for K'Ogalo's faithfuls thanks to his calm style of play in the heart of Gor's defense.

Having had a stellar outing last year and making a name for himself in the 2020 CECAFA Championships in Tanzania last year, one would expect that Odhiambo would be among the first name on Okumbi's draft, but he was nowhere to be found.

Frankie, as he is his coach Sammy Pamzo Omollo prefers calling him, has established a formidable partnership in Gor Mahia's three-man backline with Harun Shakava and Andrew Juma, mostly, keeping five clean sheets in six league matches in the process and would have been a good inclusion.

Lewis Bandi - AFC Leopards

Talk of grabbing an opportunity with both hands, and you will be talking about Lewis Bandi.

The AFC Leopards utility man was given his chance for the second most successful club in Kenya by Anthony Kimani in January. First, coming in for the injured Isaac Kipyegon against KCB then making a full debut against Kariobangi Sharks in the game that followed and has since been a regular, including making appearances on either side of the defense.

On top of being in Okumbi's U20 squad last year, Bandi can be deployed in the attacking midfielder position, left or right back like he has been at Ingwe and would have been a good add-on for the Emerging Stars.

John Macharia - Gor Mahia

Quick and trickery. These best describe Gor Mahia's John Macharia, a natural number ten who has often been played on the flanks by Vaz Pinto. Lack of enough game time may have slowed down John Macharia's progress at Gor Mahia but he never lacks some moments of brilliance whenever he is called upon.

For a coach who loves to hit teams on the counter like Okumbi at times, Macharia would have been a good option. His speed is terrific for defenders, and so is his quick feet.

The major undoing for Macharia at Gor Mahia has been the fact that for Pinto, Kenneth Muguna is indisposable.

Kevin Okumu - Nairobi City Stars

Moving back to Nairobi City Stars has given Kevin Okumu's season some fresh breath. The fringe player at Wazito has now become the preferred right-back for Sanjin Alagic. Indeed, home is where the heart is.

He is among a cluster of young promising fullbacks who have been tipped to shine, including at the national level.

Fidel Origa - Wazito

Whenever Wazito FC plays, 70 percent of the world is normally covered by water and 30 percent by Fidel Origa. The 21-year old has given art in football a meaning, thanks to his style of play in the middle of the park.

He will kill and inject pace in a game depending on the dynamics of the game. Two touches at most is his preferred style and miss passes are rare for him.

The former Western Stima man has been Wazito’s midfield dynamo this season, pulling strings at the heart of midfield and his performances earned him the Wazito December Player of the Month award.