Mariga returns to Stars: Kenya travel to Khartoum to meet Sudan in friendly

By GILBERT WANDERA

Harambee Stars playing against Sudan during the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Nairobi. [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

Sudan will seek revenge against the national football team Harambee Stars when the two sides meet tonight in an international friendly match in Khartoum.

The fixture is one of several lined up on a day set aside by world governing body Fifa for international matches.

It comes almost three months since Harambee Stars last took part in an international match. This was during the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final held in Nairobi, where Kenya beat Sudan 2-0 to win the trophy at home.

Neither team has anything at stake, but each will be eyeing an improvement in their global rankings and are, therefore, expected to give their best.

Kenyan coach Adel Amrouche has recalled some of the biggest names in local football, perhaps an indication of how seriously he is taking the fixture.

The biggest surprise is Inter-Milan midfielder Macdonald Mariga, who has not played for the Stars in almost two years and is not even a regular at the Italian club.

But Mariga still has a lot to offer the national team, if only inspiration to the younger players, and with Kenya eyeing a place in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held in Morocco, the team will need plenty of encouragement.

The Inter-Milan midfielder trained with the team at Kasarani yesterday together with his more famous sibling Victor Wanyama who turns out for English club Southampton.

Another international player who has joined the team is Saudi Arabia-based defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng.

Former captain Dennis Oliech was expected late yesterday, just a few hours before the team departs for Khartoum alongside five other international players.

Veteran goalkeeper Duncun Ochieng has been impressive ever since he stepped in to take the place of first choice goalkeeper Arnold Origi and should start in goal against Sudan tonight.

The defence is also likely to revolve around the usual suspects – James Situma, David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Jockins Atudo and David Ochieng.

In midfield, team captain Wanyama will be leading the squad playing alongside his elder brother Mariga with support from Francis Kahata and Peter Opiyo.

The striking force will be led by Ajacco’s Oliech and Jacob Keli alongside Edwin Lavasta, who recently signed up with top Algerian side MC Algiers.

The team is without injured AFC Leopards forward Allan Wanga, who scored the two goals that floored Sudan in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup final.

The host will be hoping that a home ground advantage can inspire the Nile Crocodiles to swim upstream and hunt down the Stars for a deserved victory tonight.

In a related development, Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson is not worried about releasing his players to Harambee Stars ahead of the weekend return Champions League match against Esperance in Tunisia.

Williamson said: “We are leaving for Tunis on Friday and so it is perfectly in order to let the players join Harambee Stars. I am not worried about fatigue or injuries,” he said.

Gor Mahia will be out to overturn a 3-2 loss suffered at the hands of Esperance last weekend.        — [email protected]