Firat hands Victor Omune maiden Harambee Stars start as team to face Iran is named

AFC Leopards attacker Victor Omune will make his first start for the Harambee Stars when the national team lines up to face Iran in an international friendly match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Tuesday night.

Having been called up to the squad for the first time by Engin Firat, the attacking midfielder, who became the first player to score four goals in a single match in the 2022/2023 league campaign, will be looking to reward the manager's faith in him.

New Kenya Police recruit Patrick Matasi has been entrusted with a starting berth between the sticks and will be marshalled by a back four of players who ply their trade out of the country.

Amos Nondi and Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma who play for Ararat Armenia and Swedish top tier side AIK respectively, will man the full back positions alongside Mamelodi Sundowns' Brian Mandela and Belgium's Joseph Okumu (KAA Gent) who will complete the back four.

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The midfield will see Teddy Akumu, who is returning to the side, pivoting alongside USA based Richard Odada with Kenya Police's Duke Abuya providing the creative spark.

Omune will join team captain Michael Olunga and Masud Juma in the firing lines.

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Starting XI

Patrick Matasi (GK), Amos Nondi, Eric Ouma, Brian Mandela, Joseph Okumu, Teddy Akumu, Victor Omune, Richard Odada, Michael Olunga, Duke Abuya, Masud Juma.

Substitutes

Ian Otieno (GK), Bryne Odhiambo (GK), David Ochieng, Johnstone Omurwa, Aboud Omar, Daniel Sakari, Daniel Anyembe, Alpha Onyango, Kenneth MUguna, Wilkims Ochieng, Abdalla Hassan, Elvis Rupia.

Iran Squad

Starting XI

Payam Niazmand (GK), Hossein Knaani, Armin Sohrabian, Roozbeh Cheshmi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Mohammad Sarimi, Sadegh Moharrami, Mohammad Mohebi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Shariar Moghanlou, Mehdi Taremi