Amrouche drops Mieno, brings Waruru aboard

Kepha Aswani (L) and Humphrey Mieno during Harambee Stars training at City Stadium. [Photo: Stafford Ondego/Standard]

By Gilbert Wandera

Kenya: Ulinzi Stars forward Stephen Waruru has been recalled to the national team Harambee Stars ahead of the June 5 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, as the team seeks more goal scorers.

Waruru earned a recall after scoring for his club against Chemelil Sugar in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match on Sunday away.

Stars coach Adel Amrouche said the Ulinzi man will provide more scoring options upfront after losing team captain Dennis Oliech due to suspension.

“He is an impressive player with a lot of experience and, in the absence of Oliech and all the other injured players, he gives us more options to get goals.

“We need to score goals against Nigeria and it is therefore important that we have a sharp attacking force,” he said.

Amrouche has also recalled to the squad former Thika United striker Kepha Aswani who plys his trade in Oman with Al Nasr.

Waruru last featured for the national team during the time Zedekiah Otieno was in charge in 2011. That is the season he won the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Golden Boot award.

Two foreign-based players, Jamal Mohammed and Patrick Osiako, have already linked up with the team who have shifted their training base to Naivasha.

Amrouche announced he had dropped three players from the squad.

They are Azam midfielder Humphrey Mieno, who is injured, Sofapaka defender Eugine Asike and KCB forward Jacob Keli.

Elsewhere, Kenya’s opponents Nigeria left Germany for Houston, USA without Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi who is expected to link up with the team on time for Friday’s international friendly against Mexico.

Brown Ideye of Dynamo Kiev is expected to join the team in America just before the game in Houston, according to Nigerian daily Punch.

The friendly is part of Nigeria’s preparation for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia and the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria will take on Mexico at the Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas Friday in their last friendly match before the World Cup qualifer against Kenya on Wednesday.

Some other Nigerian regulars like Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike have been ruled out from the Kenyan game due to injuries.

The Super Eagles are expected in Nairobi on Tuesday for the match, which will be played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The first leg match of this fixture was played on March 23 in Calabar and ended in a  1-1 tie.

After playing Nigeria, Kenya will travel to Malawi on June 14 for another match.