Mulee names 26-man team to enter camp today for Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup

By GILBERT WANDERA

National football team Harambee Stars enters camp today to begin preparations for next week’s Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania.

The team is expected to leave early for Tanzania as they depart on Saturday and are expected to play one build-up match against the host country before the regional tournament kicks off next weekend.

Team Manager Edward Odour yesterday said they want to acclimatise in Tanzania before the tournament kicks-off.

"We want to have a feel of the weather and get used to it before the competition proper kicks off," explained Oduor. The team had earlier been scheduled to camp in Mombasa, which has the same weather as Dar-es-Saalam.

Youth and experience

Coach Jacob Mulee has named a 26-man squad of a mixture of youthful and experienced players as Kenya seeks to win the trophy they last lifted in 2003.

Gor Mahia goalkeeper Joram Onyango is making a come back to the team and has replaced Mathare United’s Martin Musalia, who is dropped for this competition.

Onyango has been called alongside Wilson Obungo (Sofapaka) and Boniface Oluoch (Tusker).

Other new names are Christopher Litswa (Tusker), Stephen Ocholla (Ulinzi) and Joshua Oyoo (Sony Sugar).

Only 20 players will travel on Saturday. The travelling party will be announced on Saturday morning.

Kenya are in Group ‘C’ dubbed the pool of death where they will fight against ganda, Ethiopia and Malawi for a chance to qualify for the final of the competition.

THE TEAM: Goalkeepers: Joram Onyango (Gor), Wilson Obungu (Sofapaka), Boniface Oluoch (Tusker). Defenders: Ibrahim Shikanda (Azam Tanzania), Mulinge Ndeto (Ulinzi) Harvana Maloba (Mathare United) Christopher Litswa (Tusker) Edgar Ochieng (Sofapaka), George Owino (Sofapaka), Godfrey Kokoyo (Ulinzi) Lloyd Wahome (Mathare United).

Mid-fielders: Osborne Monday (Sofapaka), Steven Ocholla (Ulinzi), James Situma (Sofapaka), Victor Ali (Tusker), Kevin Omondi (Gor), Joshua Oyoo (Sony) Innocent Mutiso (Mathare United) Anthony Kimani (Sofapaka), Abdul Malik (Gor) Fred Ajwang (Tusker), Simon Mburu (Mathare United).

Strikers: John Baraza, Bob Mugalia (Sofapaka), George Odhiambo (Gor) and Brian Matsiola (Western Stima).