REVEALED: Harambee Stars matches ahead of AFCON, World Cup qualifiers

Harambee Stars Cliff Nyakeya (left) and Eric Omondi challenge Abdullah Raffidine (centre) of Comoros during Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier match at Kasarani stadium. Nov 12, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya national football team Harambee Stars kicked off training at Nyayo National Stadium ahead of the upcoming international friendly matches against South Sudan and Tanzania.

Harambee Stars welcome South Sudan on Saturday (March 13) at Nyayo Stadium and thereafter host Tanzania in back-to-back matches on March 15, 2021 (Nyayo Stadium) and March 18, 2021 (Kasarani Stadium).

“All local-based players initially called up have checked in apart from the Kariobangi Sharks crew  Samuel Olwande, Bonface Onyango, Daniel Sakari, James Mazembe, and Erick Kapaito who missed the session due to club assignments in the BetKing Premier League,” FKF said in a statement on Thursday.

Stars are set to play Egypt, at home, on March 22 and Togo, away, on March 30 in the final rounds of the 2022 AFCON Qualifiers.

South Sudan arrived in the country on Tuesday and held their first training session on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have been scheduled to arrive in the country on Saturday and will hold their official training session on Sunday, March 14 at Nyayo Stadium.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers

Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Joseph Okoth (KCB), Peter Odhiambo (Wazito), Sam Adisa (Bidco).

Defenders

Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito), Michael Kibwage (Sofapaka), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks), Nahashon Alambi (KCB), Bonface Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), David Owino (KCB), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks), Baraka Badi (KCB)

Centre referee Mutaz Ibrahim from Libya giving instructions to Harambee Stars during Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier clash against Comoros at Kasarani stadium. Nov 12, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Midfielders

Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards), Micheal Mutinda (KCB), Musa Masika (Wazito), John Macharia (Gor Mahia), Reagan Otieno (KCB), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker), Kevin Kimani (Wazito), Abdalla Hassan (Bandari)

Forwards

Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards), Henry Meja (Tusker), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)