Harambee Stars Final Squad for Zimbabwe, Namibia AFCON Qualifiers Named

Posted by By admin September 2, 2024 Harambee Stars
Kenneth Muguna Austine Odhiambo Harambee Stars AFCON Qualifiers
Harambee Stars' midfielders Austine Odhiambo and Kenneth Muguna in a tussle for the ball during the team's final training session in Nairobi

The Kenya national team (Harambee Stars) Coach Engin Firat has named the final squad of 25 players to face Zimbabwe and Namibia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers opening round.

Olunga Doubtful

Firat revealed on Sunday, during the team’s final training session in Nairobi, that Captain Michael Olunga remains doubtful for both matches, having sustained an injury that has kept him out of his parent club Al Duhail’s last two games.

Nonetheless, the coach asserted that the captain shall be part of the squad and will undergo late fitness tests to ascertain his suitability to play both matches.

“Michael Olunga is a low chance. He will come for an MRI, but it is a low chance. We have already lost many players for the matches, but we must find solutions,” said the coach.

Should Olunga sit out both matches, the coach may have to rely on Egypt-based John Avire, Scotland-based Johan Ayunga, and Benson Omala, who recently secured a move to Lebanon for Al Safa FC.

Sichenje, Ian Otieno Dropped

Firat also ruled out Serbian-based defender Collins Sichenje from the back-to-back AFCON Aualifiers after the former AFC Leopards man picked up an injury while playing for his club, FK Vojvodina.

Goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who recently joined South African side Richards Bay, will also not be part of the team. His AFC Leopards counterpart, Levis Opiyo, has taken up his place.

Meanwhile, the coach cleared the air on the unavailability of defender Daniel Anyembe, noting that he remains part of his long-term plans: “He requested some time off for personal reasons, and I granted it. He will rejoin us in October. He’s an important player and remains part of my plans,” said Firat.

Firat Frustrated

While at it, Firat expressed his dissatisfaction with the logistical arrangements made for the team, noting that, ideally, the team should have been together for longer.

“This was our first training session, but we should have started earlier. I had to personally call the players from home because I didn’t get the green light to begin training on Monday due to financial issues,” he said.

“I’ve been told the ministry has yet to release the funds, making having the team in camp impossible. Meanwhile, our opponents, Zimbabwe and Namibia, have been in camp and training for over a week. It’s disappointing. This situation underscores the need for a technical centre for our national teams, so we don’t have to rely on government funds to start training,” Firat added.

He also lamented how his team has been unlucky with injuries at crucial times.

“I don’t know why we are always unlucky during FIFA days; we always have injured players. We are missing a lot of important players, and it is a very unlucky situation for us,” lamented the coach.

“Sichenje is out, but it is a low chance for Michael (Olunga). He will come for an MRI, and then we will see. We have already lost a lot of players, and the reality is that in Kenya, not many players are used to playing on the international level. But, we will try to find a solution within the team,” the coach further noted.

Further, the coach noted that he wanted to give a chance to some players based abroad but with Kenyan roots, but he ran into challenges acquiring their passports.

“I wanted to bring in two new players for the national team this September, but dealing with the passport issue in Kenya is far from simple, and I have no idea how it works,” he explained.

“We have one player in Australia, another in England, and one in Ireland. These boys have Kenyan heritage, but securing a Kenyan passport is not easy. I thought it would be straightforward, but I’ve realised it’s not,” bemoaned the coach.

Shariff Majabe, Okumu, Marcelo Incuded

In Sichenje’s place, the coach has called up the little-known Shariff Majabe from Bandari. Former Green Commandos duo Joseph Crouch Okumu and Eric Marcelo Ouma also return after missing the Stars’ World Cup qualifiers in June. This shall be a big boost to the coach, who had to play some players out of position in June owing to the duo’s absence.

Harambee Stars Final Squad

Goalkeepers

Levis Opiyo, Patrick Matasi, Byrne Omondi

Defenders

Sharrif Majabe, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi, Abud Omar, Eric Ouma, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija

Midfielders

Chris Erambo, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Eric Johanna, Ronney Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma

Forwards

John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, Victor Omune

What is at Stake?

Kenya has been pooled in Group J of the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers alongside Cameroon, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The Harambee Stars start against Zimbabwe on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Uganda, before taking on Namibia in their second match on September 10, 2024, in South Africa.

Only the top two teams from each of the 12 qualification groups will qualify for the 2025 AFCON, which will be held in Morocco between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.

Harambee Stars 2025 AFCON Qualifiers

  1. Kenya vs Zimbabwe (Mandela National Stadium, September 6, 2024, 4 pm EAT)
  2. Namibia vs Kenya (Orlando Stadium, South Africa, September 10, 2024, 7 pm EAT)
  3. Cameroon vs Kenya (October 7, 2024)
  4. Kenya vs Cameroon (October 15, 2024)
  5. Zimbabwe vs Kenya (November 11, 2024)
  6. Kenya vs Namibia (November 19, 2024)

Khama Billiat Returns

While Kenya rues the absence of its key players, Zimbabwe has been boosted by the return to international duty of its star forward Khama Billiat. The former Mamelodi Sundowns man rescinded his earlier decision to retire from international football and has now been included in the team by Coach Michael Nees.

Zimbabwe AFCON Qualifiers Squad

Goalkeepers

Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn)

Defenders

Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe

Midfielders

Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Jordan Zemura (Udinese), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Forwards

Tinotenda Kadewere (FC Nantes), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Obriel Chirinda (Ngezi Platinum), Khama Billiat

Namibia squad

Goalkeepers

Loydt Kazapua (Sekhukhune FC, SA), Edward Maova (Golden Arrows, SA), Kamaijanda Ndisiro (African Stars FC)

Defenders

Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa FC, BOT), Kennedy Amutenya (Unattached), Charles Hambira (African Stars FC), Tuli Nashikwa (Tigers FC), Arend Abubakar (Blue Waters FC), Welwin Hanamub (Amazulu FC, SA), Ngero Katua (African Stars FC), Erasmus Ikeinge (Khomas Nampol FC)

Midfielders

Aprocious Petrus (Cape Town City, SA), Moses Shidolo (Chula Chula FC), Tjiipenandjambi Karuoomb (Unam FC), Romeo Kasume (Matebele FC, BOT), Paulus Amutenya (Unam FC), Erastus Kukula (Blue Waters FC), Edmar Kamatuka (Sekhukhune FC, SA), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates, SA), Farres Haidula (Blue Waters FC), Prince Tjueza (Cape Town City FC)

Forwards

Erastus Kalula (Sekhukhune FC, SA), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns, SA), Betuel Muzeu (Black Leopards, SA), David Ndeunyema (Blue Waters FC)

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