Ovella set to miss Stars World Cup qualifier double against Mali

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat will have to do without the services of South African based winger Ovella Ochieng in the forthcoming 2022 World Cup qualifier double against Mali.

Ovella who is attached to Marumo Gallants was recalled to the team after years in the cold when the Turkish trainer named his 34-man squad for the matches. According to Firat, the former Kariobangi Sharks player was excused from joining the Stars camp to concentrate on club duties.

Ovella finds new home in South Africa

Ovella joined Gallants in August, where he reunited with former Stars head coach Sebastien Migne but he is understood to have delayed in making his debut thanks to a registration hitch.

Despite being unattached for close to six months since severing ties with Swedish side Vasalunds, the winger was drafted into the provisional squad and was expected to link up with the rest who hit the camp on Thursday.

Stars are expected to tackle the West African giants in the first leg on Thursday next week before hosting the return leg three days later.

Firat in an open media session held shortly after the team's training session on Friday at Utalii grounds revealed that the former U20 winger was in his plans but his employer had different plans.

" He has played for the national team before but as you know he had been out for some time. He is back in training and had wished to have him here but the club decided otherwise," he disclosed.

At the same time, Firat cleared the air over the controversy milling around the inclusion of Sydney Lokale in the team. The Sharks forward return to the team after two years was met with fury as he had been out of action to close to six months.

The former Nakuru All Stars goal poacher who has since returned to Sharks after his loan spell to Finish side HIFK Fotboll ended prematurely due to an injury was recalled in the team after catching the eye of Firat in training.

" I watched Sydney in one of the test matches and he impressed me. He is physically strong and fast, qualities that are rare in many forwards.He will certainly be a good option in the future," he said.