Kenya’s new coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has not made dramatic changes in naming his first squad since his surprise appointment last week for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros.
There is a first call-up for unattached midfielder Mathew Olake, AFC Leopards youngster Peter Thiongo and Gor Mahia teenage sensation Benson Omala.
Spain-based Ismael Gonzalez returns to the squad, same for Kariobangi Sharks custodian keeper Brian Bwire and his club mate Samuel Olwande.
Kenya named 39 players in their squad as they begin their preparations for the crucial qualifiers that will most likely determine Harambee Stars’ destiny in qualifying for next year’s tournament.
It is the first outing for the former Tusker, Yanga and APR FC coach, who returns to the national team to replace Francis Kimanzi.
A total of 16 players are retained from the squad from last year’s finals in Egypt, where Harambee Stars proved disappointing. Philemon Otieno, Bernard Ochieng, Deniss Odhiambo, Ovella Ochieng, Paul Were and the trio of goalkeepers Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faroul Shikalo have been dropped.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers
Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)
Defenders
Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya) Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Mike Kibwage (Sofapaka, Kenya), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya)
Midfielders
Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Ismael Gonzalez (UD Las Palmas, Spain), Eric Johanna Omondi (Jonkoping’s Sodra, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Musa Masika (Wazito, Kenya), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya) Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Unattached), Peter Thion’go (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Elli Asieche (Sofapaka, Kenya), Mathew Olake (Unattached), Moses Mudavadi (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya), Austin Odhiambo (AFC Leopards, Kenya)
Forwards
Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)
Reserves
Dennis Sikhayi (Wazito, Kenya), James Kinyanjui (Mathare United, Kenya)
