Matasi dropped as Kimanzi names Harambee Stars team for Mozambique friendly
Ethiopia-based first choice goalkeeper Patrick Matasi is among the
surprise exclusions from Harambee Stars’ final squad for the upcoming
international friendly match against Mozambique at Moi International
Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani on October 13.
Matasi, who plays for St. Georges of Ethiopia, featured for Stars’ at
the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt and was lately
involved in an international friendly against Uganda Cranes in Nairobi
in early September.
Besides Matasi other players who were in the squad against Uganda but
did not make the cut are Ayub Timbe who turns out for Chinese Super
League side Beijing Rhene, KCB defender Michael Kibwage, Tusker’s
Boniface Muchiri, Francis Kahata of Tanzanian giants Dar Simba and
Ulinzi Stars striker Enos Ochieng’.
Those recalled are former AFC Leopards goalkeeper Ian Otieno of
Zambian top-tier league side Red Arrows and Wazito defender Johnstone
Omurwa.
Apparently, Omurwa was re-drafted in the squad by head coach Francis
Kimanzi due to his cameo debut against Cranes in which Stars were held
to a one-all draw by the visitors.
Fast-rising Tusker defender Hilary Wandera received his first call-up
while Yusuf Mainge, who is on loan at Slovakia side FKF Pohronie from
AFC Leopards, has been summoned after being in and out of the national
team.
Other new faces are Ulinzi Stars goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo and
Samuel Olwande of Kariobangi Sharks, whilst seasoned players in
captain Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur and Masoud Juma from
Algerian outfit JS Kabylie have received the nod.
Squad-
Goalkeepers-Ian Otieno (Red Arrows, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi
Stars), Farouk Shikalo (Yanga, Tanzania),
Defenders-Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Harun Shakava (Nkana FC, Zambia),
Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Yusuf Mainge (FK Pohronie, Slovakia),
Hillary Wandera (Tusker), Eric Ouma (Vasalunds, Sweden), Joseph Okumu
(IF Elfsburg, Sweden),
Midfielders-Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari),
Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Kariobangi Sharks), Victor
Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Cliffton Miheso (Gor Mahia),
Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Cliff Nyakeya (Al Masr, Egypt), Lawrence
Juma (Gor Mahia), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards),
Strikers-Micheal Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Jesse Were (Zesco,
Zambia), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria).
