Montreal Impact captain Victor Wanyama has once again been omitted from the Harambee Stars squad that hits camp next week for the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.
On March 20, 2021, Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee omitted the long serving captain from the squad that faced Egypt in Nairobi and Togo in Lome citing lack of fitness as the reason behind the omission. In the press conference, he named Al-Duhail forward Michael Olunga as the new captain and it seems to be the decision he has settled on.
On Friday August 20, Mulee named a 36-man squad that will prepare for the World Cup qualifier fixtures against Uganda on September 2 and Rwanda three days later.
Among the notable inclusions are former AFC Leopards midfielder Richard Odada who now features for Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.
Gor Mahia captain Haron Shakava has also earned a rare callup after a good second half of the season with his club.
After a poor 2020 season, Eric Johanna Omondi is in the squad together with Kenneth Muguna of Azam FC, Tanzania.
Surprisingly, two keepers from the same side are in the squad. Brandon Obiero and Brian Bwire, both of Kariobangi Sharks, have been included in the squad.
Other notable inclusions in the provisional squad are Talanta FC’s Enock Momanyi and Samuel Onyango of Gor Mahia.
Local-based players will report for camp on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, while their foreign-based counterparts are expected to start arriving from Monday, August 30, 2021.
Harambee Stars play Uganda at 3 pm on September 2, 2021, at Nyayo Stadium, after which they will travel to face Rwanda on Friday, September 3, 2021.
Kenya is in Group E alongside Rwanda, Mali, and Uganda.
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya), Joseph Okoth (KCB, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Brandon Obiero (Kariobangi Sharks)
Defenders
Joseph Okumu (KAA Gent, Belgium), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Eugene Asike (Tusker, Kenya), Nashon Alembi (KCB, Kenya), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari, Kenya), Clyde Senaji (AFC Leopards, ), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Bolton Omwenga (Nairobi City Stars, Kenya), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya)
Midfielders
Richard Odada (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Duke Abuya (Nkana, Zambia), Duncan Otieno (Lusaka Warriors, Zambia), Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Kevin Kimani (Wazito, Kenya), Patillah Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Enock Momanyi (FC Talanta, Kenya), Jackson Macharia (Tusker, Kenya), Eric Johanna (Jonkopings Sondra IF, Sweden) Boniface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya), Abdalla Hassan (Bandari, Kenya)
Forwards
Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi, Morocco), Cliffton Miheso (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Erick Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia, Kenya)