International friendly: Head coach Francis Kimanzi names 34-man provisional Harambee Stars squad

Emerging Stars coach Francis Kimanzi during training for the upcoming Africa U23 Cup of Nations Qualifiers at Kasarani Stadium, March 25, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi has named a 34-man provisional squad for the upcoming friendly match against Zambia.

Kimanzi’s boys will face Chipolopolo at the Moi International Sports Complex Karasani.

In a statement published on Footballkenya.co.org on Monday, Kimanzi welcomed back Finland-based Kenyan goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who has been out of the team for five years.

Masoud Juma of JS Kabylie and Clarke Oduor of Championship side Barnsley have also been handed a call-up in the 34-man squad.

The most notable omissions are Japan-based striker Michael Olunga, captain Victor Wanyama, and midfielder Johanna Omollo whose travels may be hampered owing to the strict Covid-19 rules.

“Influential forward Olunga, captain Wanyama, and midfielder Omollo, in the meantime, may miss out on the final squad owing to the strict Covid-19 protocols imposed by the countries from which they ply their trade,” read the FKF statement in parts.

“FKF is, however, actively engaging their clubs with a view of having the players available for the friendly.”

The match, which is a build-up to the upcoming back to back Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Comoros, has been scheduled for October 10, 2020, at the MISC Kasarani, behind closed doors.

Here’s the squad:

Goalkeepers

Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Defenders

Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Harun Shakava (Nkana, Zambia), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)

Midfielders

Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge K.S.V, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Brian Musa (Wazito, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards

Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Reserve Team

Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Stephen Otieno (Sofapaka, Kenya), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya) Chrispinus Onyango (Tusker, Kenya), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya)