Harambee Stars will be without Finland-based goalkeeper Arnold Origi, captain Victor Wanyama, midfielder Johanna Omollo and striker Michael Olunga in the friendly match against Zambia on Friday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the four stars will miss the friendly owing to the strict Covid-19 protocols imposed by the countries from which they ply their trade.
Eleven local players, who were named in the final squad, reported to camp on Sunday hoping to be fit and stand a chance to be considered for the friendly and upcoming back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros.
Immediately after their arrival, the players underwent Covid-19 testing in line with the protocols sanctioned by the Ministry of Sports.
Foreign-based players led by goalkeeper Ian Otieno and defender Joseph Okumu are expected to start checking into camp tonight.
The team will kick off residential training on Monday, ahead of the friendly match set to be played on Friday, October 9, 2020.
However, local media report that the friendly may fail to take place as by Friday the Sports Ministry had not given FKF the clearance for the match despite writing two requests over the last two weeks.
Kenya began the journey to Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with a one-all draw with Egypt away in Cairo before holding Togo by the same margin in Nairobi.
Their next month’s opponents Comoros started their campaign with a 1-0 win against Togo before settling for a goalless draw against the Pharaohs. They lead Group G of the qualifying matches with four points.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)
Defenders
Brian Mandela (Unattached), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)
Midfielders
Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari FC, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)
Forwards
Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya
