Omala in as Firat names Harambee Stars' squad for Gabon and Seychelles games

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has named his provisional squad that will take on Gabon and Seychelles in the World Cup qualifiers later this month.

Highlighting the 28-man squad is FKF Premier League top scorer Benson Omala, whose exclusion in recent months elicited an angry reaction from a section of the national team fans.

Firat has handed four players their first-ever call-ups. The four are Gor Mahia’s Geoffrey Ochieng. Nabil Kibunguchy of Orlando City, KCB’s fast-rising defender Haniff Wesonga, and Murang’a Seal midfielder Eric Balecho.

There are also a number of returnees in the squad. Sweden-based Timothy Ouma, Bandari’s Joseph Okoth, Eric Johanna, who plays in Romania, and Duncan Otieno of Botswana’s Gaborone also return to the national team setup. Daniel Anyembe, who missed the game against Russia, is also part of the squad.

Notable exclusions include Brian Mandela, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns; Tusker's Brian Bwire; Elvis Rupia of Singida; and Clarke Oduor of Bradford City FC.

Harambee Stars will first play against Gabon on Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Franceville, and then against the Seychelles on Monday, November 20, 2023, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

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Full squad

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), Joseph Ochuka (Bandari)

Defenders

Nabi Kibunguchy (Orlando City), Hanif Wesonga (KCB), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Eric Ouma (AIK), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Johnstone Omurwa (CF Estrela), and Amos Nondi (Ararat)

Midfielders

Duncan Otieno (Gaborone United), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Duke Abuya (Singida), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Balecho (Murang Seal), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Eric Johanna (UTA ARAD), Richard Odada (Aalborg), Alfred Scriven (Hodd) , Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg)

Forwards

Masud Juma (Al Faisaly), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)

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