Incredible shot stopper, clean sheet maestro and golden glove winner James Saruni has been recalled back to the Harambee Stars Squad ahead of the Mali return leg clash set for Nyayo National Stadium today at exactly 4p.m.
After initially being included in Engin Firat's first 34 man provisional squad, the 2020/2021 Football Kenya Federation Premier League Golden Glove winner was excluded in the final 25 man squad that travelled to Morocco for the first leg with Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire and Farouk Shikalo included as the goalkeepers.
In the Thursday game however, Zesco United's shot stopper, Ian Otieno, who was preferred between the sticks, was forced off the game as the team came out for the second half trailing 4-0, the head coach explaining that the goalkeeper had developed some slight injury.
At the team's final training session held on Saturday afternoon, Ian Otieno was not involved at all as Saruni took part in the training. Bwire and Shikalo also took part in the team session where Kenya were preparing for the return leg fixture. 35 year old Saruni was the toast of the season after keeping 12 clean sheets to his name, effectively edging KCB’s James Okoth (11) and City Stars' Steve Njunge (11) to the FKF-PL golden gloves award.
The custodian hailed former Harambee Stars first-choice goalkeeper Francis Onyiso, terming him as a fatherly figure who has played a big part in moulding him into his current status. “I want to thank Onyiso. He has all along encouraged and guided me. It is because of him that Ulinzi Stars have produced good goalkeepers in recent years ever since he took up his role as the goalkeeper trainer, "said Saruni.
Onyiso, 48, shot into the limelight between 1996 and 2011 when he donned the national team jersey under the late German tactician Reinhardt Fabish. He earned 51 caps for Harambee Stars from 1996 to 2011, and was also named in Kenya's squad for the 2004 African Cup of Nations tournament. Saruni said cutthroat competition in the Kenyan Premier League propelled him to a glorious season.
“The top tier is full of exceptional quality and I knew clinching the golden gloves wouldn't be easy given I received tough competition from the likes of Okoth and Njunge. I really want to thank them for pushing me to that level. They made me work harder to beat them to the honour,” added Saruni. The 35-year-old custodian is convinced that his advanced years have contributed immensely to his performance, given he has accumulated a wealth of experience in his many years of service.
“It's very true that years play a big role in one's performance as a goalkeeper. The older you become the more experience you gather along the way. Goalkeeping is not an easy task. It's one of the most demanding positions on the pitch because there is a lot of expectation placed on one's shoulders,” he added.
After a 5-0 thrashing in the first leg held in Morocco, Kenya head into the game needing all the three points if they are to keep any slim hopes of progression alive. They currently sit third in Group E on a paltry two points after three games. On the other hand, should Mali emerge victorious, the team's chances of taking top spot that guarantees progression to the next and final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers will be completely dashed.
Elsewhere, Uganda earned a sweet away win over Rwanda at Stade Regional, Nyamirambo courtesy of Fahad Bayo winner in the 41st minute in the first leg. Fahad Bayo was on target as Uganda Cranes beat Rwanda for their first win at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Bayo tapped home at close range after Bobosi Byaruhanga’s shot had ricocheted off the post. Uganda remains unbeaten after three matches and has now collected 5 points.