S. OchiengShock as in form Omala among five dropped for Harambee Stars friendly against Iran
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 23.03.23. | 12:15
The red-hot striker has scored 19 goals in the opening 19 games in the current campaign, an average of a goal a game.
Benson Omala, the current top scorer in the 2022/2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League, has surprisingly been dropped for the upcoming Harambee Stars friendly against Iran that is scheduled to be played on March 28 in Tehran.
The red-hot Gor Mahia striker, who has scored 19 goals in the opening 19 games, is among the five who have not made the cut for the travelling squad chosen by head coach Engin Firat, Mozzart Sport has learnt.
The other quartet include Swedish based defensive midfielder Collins Sichenje and experienced striker Masud Juma, currently on loan in Saudi Arabia, alongside the Bandari duo of Mohammed Siraj (left back) and centre back Andrew Juma.
There is no better way to show gratitude than to say a Thank you to God for making it possible for me to represent my country Kenya 🇰🇪❤️ out here.
— Benson Omalla (@BensonOmalla) March 19, 2023
Living a prayer once made. Never stop believing.#GodAboveAll.@Harambee__Stars pic.twitter.com/Mad58RurEw
AIK’s Sichenje and Juma, who is on loan at Al-Faisaly from Morocco’s Difaa El Jadidi, have not made the cut owing to injuries that have ruled them out of the game.
With the latest drops, the initial thirty four man provisional squad has been trimmed to 23 players after four players were released on Tuesday. Kakamega Homeboyz’s Moses Mudavadi did not honour the call up to the national team.
The quarter earlier released included AFC Leopards goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, KCB centre back Maurice Ojwang and Nzoia Sugar duo of Joseph Mwangi and Hassan Beja. Alvin Mang'eni has also not made the squad due to illness that ended up costing him his place.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), Bryne Odhiambo (KCB).
Defenders: Joseph Okumu (Gent), Brian Mandela (Sundowns), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela), Eric Ouma (AIK), David Ochieng (Mathare United), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Abud Omar (Kenya Police).
Midfielders: Amos Nondi (Ararat), Richard Odada (Philadelphia Union), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Kenneth Muguna (Azam), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari), Duke Abuya (Kenya Police), Wilkims Ochieng (FC Koper), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards).
Strikers: Elvis Rupia (Kenya Police), Alfred Scriven (IL Hodd), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail).
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