Harambee Stars probable line up

It is not a secret Egypt need a point to secure a place in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.

The record African champions tackle Harambee Stars who have a slim mathematical chance to also advance to the finals on Thursday at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.

Every team is desperate for the maximum points as the chase for the Cameroon ticket intensifies.

The televised match which, will be played behind closed doors but the focus will be on coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee particularly on his choices as far as the starting team is concerned.

Mozzartsport tries to come up with a probable line up ahead of the match.

Formation 4-5-1

Goalkeeper

Ian Otieno

Out of the three goalkeepers in camp, the Zesco United custodian is head and shoulders in respect to continental experience.

He was in a goal during the first leg which ended 1-1 in November 2019 in Alexandria after coming in for the injured Patrick Matasi and went on to start in the subsequent match against Togo at Kasarani. The former AFC Leopards man also easily walked to the goal in a friendly match against Zambia last year at the Nyayo national Stadium.

Even though he is yet to keep a clean sheet in the three matches he is set to start ahead of James Saruni and Jospeh Okoth who have eight and five clean sheets in the league respectively.

Right back

Daniel Sakari

The birthday boy will face off with Baraka Badi in the right back position which has got the national team coaches scratching their heads since David Owino transitioned into a central defender.

Sakari clocked ninety minutes against Tanzania during the 2019 Cecafa Senior Challenge and in the last week friendly.

On the other hand, Badi has failed to clock full time in the two matches he has started against Zambia and South Sudan.

Additionally, Sakari's goal and assist record in the league gives him an edge over Badi.

Left back

Erick Ouma

Ouma has in the past faced stiff competition from Abud Omar but the former Tusker unavailable, Ouma, commonly known as Marcelo is expected to be handed the responsibilities to counter the pacy offensive Egyptian wingers ahead of Harun Mwale who is green at this stage.

Central defence pairing

It is no brainer that Joash Onyango was instrumental in the 2019 Afcon qualifiers as well as in the Caf inter-club matches both at Simba and Gor Mahia.

The no-nonsense central defender return to the team after missing the Comoros double comes as a relief to coach Mulee who will miss the Sweden based Joseph Okumu.

Onyango is likely to partner with Johnstone Omurwa at the heart of the defence owing to his experience with the national team which spans to two years.

Defensive midfielders

Anthony Akumu and Duncan Otieno

With qualification at stake for Egypt, the visitors may unleash an attack minded squad just to put the result beyond the reach of Stars as early as the first half.

This may prompt Ghost to pair the two defensive stalwarts to obliterate the threat.

Akumu expertly called the shots against Zambia last year and has been outstanding at Kaizer Chiefs in league and Caf matches and is a sure bet in filling Victor Wanyama's shoes.

The former Gor player will rely on Lusaka Dynamos midfielder Otieno who has come of age after joining the Zambian league.

Central Attacking Midfielder

Lawrence Juma

Juma was a surprise inclusion against Egypt in the first leg and went ahead to justify his inclusion in the match.

He has had a stellar season since joining Sofapaka where he returned to his area of operation as opposed to his stay at Gor where he was largely used as a defensive midfielder.

His ability to unlock passes and shield the defence gives him an edge over Kenneth Muguna who is likely to be thrown in the second half.

Right Wing

Kevin Kimani

The Wazito player likes cutting in from the flank and his presence will block the Egyptian full backs from overlapping.

Left Wing

Cliff Nyakeya

The Egypt based flanker has been arguably the outstanding player in the qualifiers as he has a goal and two assists against his name.

The former Mathare United player also found the back of the net against Zambia last year and could offer tips to the technical bench on how to man the Egyptian players who are drawn from Al Ahly and Zamalek as well as other local clubs.

Centre forward

Michael Olunga

He was named the stand in captain following the unexplained absence of Wanyama.

The Qatar based forward knows that the goal scoring responsibilities squarely lie on his shoulders and he returns to the team hungrier to double his tally in the qualifiers.