Stars coach criticised for picking Kariobangi Sharks defender who was banned for roughing up referee

National team Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi has defended his decision to call-up Kariobangi Sharks defender Pascal Ogweno despite the player serving a club ban for roughing up a referee.

Ogweno was suspended for six matches last week after he tore up the referee’s card after being sent off during a Kenyan Premier League match one month ago.

Even though the club ban does not stop the player playing for the national team, there has been outrage over Okumbi’s decision to call up a player who has disciplinary problems into the national team.

However, the coach defended the move insisting that the ban is not reason enough to ignore the player.

“He remains one of the best players in that position and our plan is to use him in next year’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) and that is why we have called him. He will not be under suspension by the time the tournament is held in Nairobi next year,” he said.

Okumbi also defended himself against accusations that he favours players from Kariobangi Sharks due to his close ties with the team.

“My call-ups are on merit and every time I look at the form of a player and not his club. That is why we have called up three players from AFC Leopards despite the club not doing well in the KPL.

“As coaches we judge a player based on his personal performance and not their team,” he added.

Okumbi said he also regretted the decision by Arnold Origi to stay out of the team after acquiring Norwegian citizenship.

“It is regrettable that we cannot have him. We badly needed him especially at this point in our campaign owing to his experience.

“But we were not entirely shocked by his move as he had informed us previously that he was pursuing the move to change citizenship,” added the coach.

Okumbi also explained that his decision to call-up 48 players for the three friendly matches was made necessary by the fact that he will have two national teams going out at the same time.