BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Firat to give new faces a chance as Stars depart for Mauritius

Stars were supposed to have arrived in Mauritius by Friday last week and were to play their first match against Djibouti on Saturday.

In Summary

• Having missed the opening game, Kenya will now take on Pakistan and the host on Wednesday and Sunday respectively.

• We want to give the new players a chance to have more time and try new things—Firat.

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat
Image: FILE

Harambee Stars embarked on a five-hour flight to Mauritius on Monday morning for the Four Nation tournament after failing to travel on Saturday due to the unavailability of flights. 

Stars were supposed to have arrived in Mauritius by Friday last week and were to play their first match against Djibouti on Saturday.

Having missed the opening game, Kenya will now take on Pakistan and the host on Wednesday and Sunday respectively.

Ahead of the team's departure, coach Engin Firat hinted at handing new players in the team their debuts for them to have a feel of international football.

“We want to give the new players a chance to have more time and try new things. Five of the players who were part of the friendly match against Iran are not in the team and definitely this will have an impact," said Firat.

"We will use this tournament to prepare for official matches and future assignments. Playing two matches will help us try many things. The new players must take their chances to impress the technical bench if they want to get a call-up in the future," he added.

Some of the new names in the final squad include Luke Otiala, Moses Shumah, Byrne Omondi, Joseph Mwangi, Benson Omala, and Charles Ouma.

The team will be captained by Al Duhail's forward Michael Olunga who will also lead the front line.

Full Squad—Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Byrne Odhiambo, Brian Bwire; Defenders: David Ochieng, Kevin Luke Otiala, Collins Shichenje, Robinson Kamura, Amos Nondi, Eric Ouma, Daniel Sakari, Abud Omar; Midfielders: Daniel Anyembe, Richard Odada, Charles Ouma, Richard Odada, Teddy Akumu, Joseph Mwangi, Abdallah Hasan, Clifton Miheso, Victor Omune, Boniface Omondi; Forwards: Moses Shummah, Benson Omala and Michael Olunga.