Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee has named a 36-man provisional squad ahead of next month's 2022 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda in Nairobi and Kigali respectively.
Eric Johanna of Swedish side Jönköpings Södra makes a grand return to the squad after a long absence. Other foreign-based players who made the cut include skipper Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Joseph Okumu (Gent, Belgium) and Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma (AIK, Sweden).
Also summoned for duty isZambia-based trio of Ian Otieno, Duke Abuya and Duncan Otieno.
Mulee has handed senior call-ups to four members of the Emerging Stars fresh from the Cecafa U-23 Championship in Ethiopia. They are Frank Odhiambo, Richard Odada, Enock Momanyi, and Siraj Mohammed.
The top three contenders for the FKF-PL golden boot award Erick Kapaito (24 goals), Elvis Rupia (17) and Lawrence Juma (15) have earned slots as well.
However, Mulee has come under heavy flak for excluding some players Kenyans believe should have made the cut.
Celebrated Simba SC centre-back, Joash Onyango, popularly known as Berlin Wall, is conspicuously absent from the squad. Sources say he's nursing an injury sustained during a Tanzanian Premier League match. Also missing is Kaizer Chiefs' midfielder Antony Akumu.
Despite the criticism, Mulee expressed optimism in the squad.
“This is a strong group of players, we have a superb blend of experience, youth, ability and personalities. This is a group of players who have what it takes to start well against Uganda and go all the way.”
Local-based players report for camp on Tuesday while their foreign-based counterparts are expected in the country from August 30.
Harambee Stars, who are in Group 'E' alongside Rwanda, Mali and Uganda, play Uganda at Nyayo Stadium on September 2, before travelling for a clash against Rwanda in Kigali three days later.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya), Joseph Okoth (KCB, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Brandon Obiero (Kariobangi Sharks)
Defenders: Joseph Okumu (KAA Gent, Belgium), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Eugene Asike (Tusker, Kenya), Nashon Alembi (KCB, Kenya), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari, Kenya), Clyde Senaji (AFC Leopards, ), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Bolton Omwenga (Nairobi City Stars, Kenya), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya)
Midfielders: Richard Odada (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Duke Abuya (Nkana, Zambia), Duncan Otieno (Lusaka Warriors, Zambia), Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Kevin Kimani (Wazito, Kenya), Patillah Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Enock Momanyi (FC Talanta, Kenya), Jackson Macharia (Tusker, Kenya), Eric Johanna (Jonkopings Sondra IF, Sweden) Boniface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya), Abdalla Hassan (Bandari, Kenya)
Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi, Morocco), Cliffton Miheso (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia, Kenya)
