Two Harambee Stars players were axed from the squad following unresolved differences that climaxed into a fistfight.
Left-back Aboud Omar and Romania-based attacking midfielder Eric Johana were shown the door early Thursday, moments before the team left for Malawi for the Four Nations tournament.
Impeccable sources confirmed that the duo got entangled in a nasty altercation in the wee hours, leaving head coach Engin Firat with no option but to crack the whip.
"They got into a violent confrontation that spiralled out of control inside the hotel. Eric Johana appeared to have lost control of himself, while Aboud was furious. The coach and others attempted to intervene, but it was simply a poor scenario, and the two were eventually removed from the team," the source revealed.
In an exclusive interview on Thursday, Omar confirmed that he was involved in a scuffle with Johanna but declined to delve into the details of the ugly turn of events.
"I believe coach Firat would be in a better position to shed light on the development as the team leader. So let's wait for him to return from Malawi and hear what he will say about the issue. That's what protocol dictates," the Kenya Police FC player remarked.
The incident occurred barely a day after Firat reiterated his desire to stem indiscipline in the national team while explaining why he had snubbed mercurial Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo despite his sublime form.
Firat said Odhiambo had 'pretended to be sick' last year as the team prepared to travel to Qatar for a friendly match.
"Last September there was no sign of Austin in camp and no one could reach him. His brother Tyson Otieno was here, I asked him where Austin was. He said he doesn’t know, which is strange," Firat added.
"The next day at 2 pm our team manager got a message from Austin and he said he had malaria and he has started recovering. I wondered if he could recover from malaria in two days, it is not easy," he added.
"A few hours later, Gor Mahia against Mathare who played, and who scored the goal? So, I am wondering now when everybody in the federation knows this and the next day I said the truth to the press. It is no secret and it's clear but I am surprised how someone can write these insults online."
Odhiambo said he took leave from camp to address pressing personal matters. Harambee Stars are already in Malawi for the Four Nations Tournament.
Squad: Goalkeepers; Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Patrick Matasi, Defenders; Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Daniel Anyembe, Vincent Mahiga, Amos Nondi, Geoffrey Ochieng, Midfielders; Christine Erambo, Richard Odada, Kenneth Muguna, Kaycie Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Anthony Akumu, Shariff Musa, Strikers; Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, John Avire
