•Foreign-based players are set to start checking into camp from Monday, August 30.
•Stars will face Uganda on September 2, 2021, after which they will head to Rwanda tentatively on September 3 to face Amavubi (The Wasps) on September 5.
Image: ERICK BARASA
Sofapaka midfielder Lawrence Juma hopes to transfer his impressive club form in the Kenyan Premier League to Harambee Stars as the national team prepares to battle for a slot in the 2022 World Cup.
Juma was outstanding this season, managing to blast the back of the net a record 16 times to place himself well in contention for the golden boot award that eventually went to Kariobangi Sharks striker Erick Kapaito (24 goals).
“I aim to transfer my good form from the league to the team and help attain a positive result in the crucial back-to-back 2022 World Cup qualifier matches against Uganda and Rwanda,” said Lawrence Juma.
Juma was among the local-based players who took to the pitch for their first residential training session at the Utalii Grounds on Thursday, a day after they reported to camp.
After clinching the top-flight title with Tusker, veteran defender Eugene Asike is crossing his fingers firmly for a repeat glory in national colours.
“Today’s training session was fruitful and exciting, we got to see how good our endurance is and I believe over the next training sessions we will improve and be in our best form for the crucial 2022 World Cup qualifier matches against Uganda and Rwanda,” said Eugene Asike.
Foreign-based players are set to start checking into camp from Monday, August 30.
Stars will face Uganda on September 2, 2021, after which they will head to Rwanda tentatively on September 3 to face Amavubi (The Wasps) on September 5.
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), Henry Meja (Tusker), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia, Kenya)