SQUAD TO UK NAMED: SportPesa AllStars will face Hull City at KCOM

CEO SportPesa Ronald Karauri (left) and FKF President Nick Mwendwa handover the new jersey to the Captain SportPesa All Stars James Situma (right) at Kasarani Safaricom Stadium on Saturday, Jan 28th, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The final SportPesa AllStars team was unveiled at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi yesterday.

Among those who made in the squad slated to play English Premier League (EPL) side Hull City next month is Song Sugar Fc and Kakamega Boys student Joshua Otieno.

Otieno was elated to have made it in the final squad. He believes travelling to United Kingdom for the friendly match will open more opportunities for his football career to develop.

Gor Mahia player Amos Nondi advised those who did not make it to the squad not to give up with their football dream.

"I can assure you that your day will finally come," said Nondi whose words were also echoed by Tusker Fc's James Situma who made it to the final squad.

SportPesaCEO Ronald Karauri said the Hull City coaches who have been with the team for two weeks have improved the technical skills of the players.

"The selections were not easy as everyone displayed their best game following the rigorous training they had from the coaches," Karauri noted.

Hull City Commercial Director Simon King said the 18 players chosen from the 47 who reported at the residential camp showed high standards.

"By playing big teams like Hull City our players will not only gain skills but will be exposed internationally which is key to win international meets," said Mwendwa.

Initially, a squad of 47 players reported at the camp before it was whittled to 29 a week later. Apart from James Situma, Nondi and Otieno, other notable names in the final 18 are Allan Wanga, Humphrey Mieno, David Okello and Osborne Monday all from Tusker FC. Gor Mahia has two players, Nondi and Harun Shakava, in the list and AFC Leopards also have Robinson Kamura and Harun Nyaka.

Other players who have made the SportPesa AllStars team are Patrick Matasi (Posta), Wesley Onguso (Western Stima), Cliff Kasuti (Ulinzi), David Kingatwa (Bandari) Chris Oruchum (Thika United), Moses Odhiambo (Sofapaka), John Makwata (Ulinzi) and Geoffrey Kataka (Posta).