Firat: Why key Harambee Stars duo wi*l be absent for South Sudan frien*ly
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has explained why Johnstone Omurwa and Ayub Timbe will not be available for South Sudan's friendly on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
Omurwa started in the previous game against Qatar, while Timbe was a second-half substitute when the East Africans secured a 2-1 win. According to the coach, Omurwa was released from the camp after a special request from his Primeira Liga side, Estrela da Amadora.
Omurwa, Timbe absence
"The situation with Johnstone Omurwa is different. They have a very difficult game where they will play Porto this weekend, and the club requested our support by allowing him to go back early enough so that he gets ready for this match together with his teammates.
"I think it is good to have a good relationship with such clubs for future engagements," Firat explained.
Timbe was injured and was consequently allowed to join his Chinese club while at the same time seeking medical attention.
"Ayub Timbe got injured, and therefore we allowed him to go back to China and rejoin his club," the Turkish coach said.
Before the match against Qatar, Bandari's Hassan Abdallah was dropped, and now Firat has explained why the forward did not travel to Doha. Austin Odhiambo and Stanley Wilson were not part of the Doha contingent but rejoined the team once it jetted back after a 2-1 win.
"Before we travelled, we had some problems because Abdallah lost his passport, and we even do not know if he will play because it has not been solved till now.
"We would have taken Austin and Stanley, but it was not possible to get visas for them late, and I asked them to come back for training before we play South Sudan," Firat added.
Harambee Stars' evolution
Meanwhile, Firat emphasized that he is not entirely concerned by the result of the match against the Bright Stars, given that his main goal is to gauge the players' readiness.
"It's an entirely different match. We're up against a team with young, energetic players who defend with tenacity. Breaking their defense is tough, so patience is vital. With two players absent, we'll be modifying our setup. Yet, every game is unique.
"The result against South Sudan isn't my top concern. It's about how our players evolve and contribute.
"For the World Cup qualifiers, we have to adopt a long-term approach. I must have a contingency for injuries; thus, I constantly seek alternatives. My aspiration is for our team to stay patient, pass precisely, and fashion opportunities. We aim to capitalize on these," he concluded.
The match will kick off at 4:00 p.m. at the Moi International Sports Complex in Kasarani.
