Coach Sebastien Migne has decided to go with a squad of 25 Kenya based players to face Ghana in next month’s final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The big News is there is no foreign player in the squad as the countries current best export in Victor Wanyama is currently nursing an injury.
Attacking youngsters; Allan Wanga, Sydney Lokale, David Juma and Piston Mutamba are in the squad.
Mathare United is also heavily represented in the squad with 4 players; Andrew Juma, Roy Okal,David Owino and Cliff Nyakeya have been invited.
Gor Mahia trio Philemon Otieno, Francis Kahata and Joash Onyango are in the squad.
The Goalkeeping arm of the team have two of the selected players from Kariobangi Sharks FC
Kenya squad:
Goalkeepers :
Brian Bwire(Kariobangi Sharks), John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari);
Defenders : Andrew Juma (Mathare United), David Owino (Mathare United), Michael Kibwage (KCB),Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Elvis Nandwa (Ulinzi Stars), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United);
Midfielders :
Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Duke Abuya (Kariobangi Sharks), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka), Teddy Osok (Wazito FC), Whyonne Isuza (AFC Leopards),Roy Okal (Mathare United), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United), John Avire (Sofapaka), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari);
Forwards :
Allan Wanga (Kakamega HomeBoyz),Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka) and David Juma(Tusker).
“It was important to call Bwire to the squad as you are aware the Olympics qualifiers are next month against Sudan which is an important fixture to us. Oyemba has been outstanding for Sharks in the league and he will feature in the Chan team alongside Shikhalo.”
“Of course, Patrick Matasi remains our first choice but I do not want to put him under unnecessary pressure. We also have several U-23 players in team and some will play in both the Olympics and Chan qualifiers,” Migne said as he explained his choice of picking two keepers from Kariobangi Sharks.
Angu Lesley
@angulesley on Twitter