Harambee Stars’ predicted starting XI vs South Sudan

Harambee Stars are set to host South Sudan for a second friendly match on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani.

Kenya are buoyed up by their 2-1 win over Qatar, and facing the neighbours gives them a chance to make it two straight wins in the September FIFA international break.

Ahead of the game, Kenyan supporters will be keen to see whether coach Engin Firat will maintain the squad that produced the hard-fought win in Doha or if he will deploy an entirely different starting XI.

Prediction

Bryne Odhiambo will maintain his place as a starting goalkeeper ahead of his experienced rivals, Ian Otieno of Zesco and Patrick Matasi of Police FC.

Against Qatar, the promising goalkeeper did well, although he was not regularly tested by the Qataris. Keeping a clean sheet against South Sudan should be the goalkeeper's main target, as he hopes to remain the number one goalkeeper going forward.

Daniel Anyembe should keep his position at the right back owing to his top-level performance against Qatar. The right-back position has been one that Kenya has not been able to produce a solid candidate for, but Anyembe is a promising permanent solution.

Anyembe did well going forward, although he looked somewhat lost when Qataris pressed Harambee Stars. However, he has room to improve and become even better.

Eric Ouma is a certain starter at the left back, as he has often demonstrated that he is a top performer. 

The former Gor Mahia fullback will always join attacks when the situation demands it, and he will drop deep to offer the needed cover when the team is pressed.

Firat's headache

Firat is expected to experience some headaches while picking his centre-back pairing. The Johnstone Omurwa-Joseph Okumu partnership worked well in the last match, and this has been tipped to be the best pairing going into the future.

However, Omurwa has been released to join his club teammates ahead of their match against Porto, and that means Okumu will have another partner today. Mamelodi Sundowns' Brian Mandela and Collins Sichenje are centre-back options available.

In midfield, the Richard Odada-Teddy Akumu-Kenneth Muguna partnership should be maintained owing to the solidity displayed in the win against Qatar.

Akumu's performance was closely scrutinized because he has had very limited playing time at Sogun Tosu in Japan, but he was calm and gave the best he could. 

The striking department is another area in which Firat has options. Against Qatar, Elvis Rupia and Michael Olunga, both natural center-forwards, were deployed, while Masoud Juma played at the flank.

Although none scored, Kenya's goals were netted by Okumu and Amos Nondi, Olunga assisted in the creation of the second goal, and his striking partners had decent outings.

Nondi has a fighting chance to start, as does Moses Shummah, who is another viable option in the department.

Probable Harambee Stars XI: Bryne Odhiambo, Eric Ouma, Daniel Anyembe, Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Richard Odada, Teddy Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Elvis Rupia, Masoud Juma, and Michael Olunga