After the release of the Harambee Stars provisional squad last week, many questions have been asked about coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee’s selection and omission of some key members.
Captain Victor Wanyama, vice captain Brian Mandela, Johanna Omolo, Ismael Gonzalez, Clarke Oduor, Eric Johanna Omondi, Arnold Origi and David Owino were some of the notable absentees and questions have emerged as to why some of these stars were given a cold shoulder by Ghost.
Victor Wanyama
An ever present figure in the Harambee Stars squad, always leading from the front but will miss the clash against the Pharaohs and the Hawks as he had just reported back to Impact Montreal for preseason.
After being out of action for close to two months, Ghost said that he was only going to deal with players who have been active and definitely Wanyama is not one of them.
“As a national team coach, there are some decisions I have to make for the betterment of the team. I have selected these players based on their current form and activeness in their respective leagues, nothing else,” he was quoted by Standard Sports.
“It is not about replacing someone but their ability to play at the top level. We are slowly but surely trying to build a team for the future and that’s why I think everyone who has been called up deserves a chance to wear the national team jersey."
“It was a bit difficult to engage the local-based players in the team against Comoros due to lack of match fitness. But I feel they have proven that in the last few training sessions,” said Ghost.
Brain Mandela
The 26 year-old towering defender had an impressive start to his Masandwana career after joining them in October 2020 as a free agent.
His partnership with Ricardo Nacimento was something to savour but a thigh injury picked in a league match against Supersport United in January means that he might not be ready for international action hence the omission.
Clarke Oduor
The Barnsley man has seen limited action this term and his form has dipped.His first cap for Harambee Stars was against Zambia in an international friendly played at the Nyayo stadium in October. A goal line clearance to deny Zambia the equalizer was one of the highlights of the game as Francis Kimanzi’s reign as Stars coach ended despite winning the game 2-1.
Johanna Omolo
‘Tosh’ as he is commonly known just completed a move to Turkish side Buyuksehir from Belgian side Cercle Brugge. His last outing against Comoros was disastrous to say the least, but his equalizer against Tanzania in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is still fresh in our memories though.
Eric Johanna Omondi
The attacking midfielder has been the link man in attack for Harambee Stars over the years. Things have not been okay though in the recent past and his performances against Comoros and Zambia might have triggered Ghost to give him a breather.
Arnold Origi
The undisputed Kenya one made a comeback to the team in the 2-2 homedraw and 2-1 defeat away in Moroni. He was making a comeback to the team after half a decade but then was caught in the wrong end of things, perhaps his time is up.
David Owino
Popularly known as ‘Calabar’, the former Nakuru All Stars and Gor Mahia man now at Napsa Stars of Zambia hasn’t really convinced many fans with his latest performances. Maybe a good run at Napsa might see him being considered for future assignments.
Ismael Gonzalez
The Las Palmas man has been blowing hot and cold while on international duty and has never really settled well.