Sheffield United target named in Harambee Stars squad

Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi has named a 34-man provisional squad for the upcoming friendly match against Zambia set to be played in Nairobi next month.

Among the new call ups is England-based defender Clarke Oduor, who plays for Championship side Barnsley, KCB FC defender Baraka Badi, Wazito midfielder Brian Musa, Mohamed Katana, who recently moved Isloch FC in Belarus and AFC Leopards’ Austin Otieno.

Experienced custodian Arnold Origi also makes a comeback to the squad with Kimanzi also recalling Brian Mandela who is currently unattached.

New Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has been included in the reserve squad.

Other new faces in the team include KCB FC defender Baraka Badi, Wazito midfielder Brian Musa, immediate former Bandari midfielder Mohamed Katana who recently moved Isloch FC in Belarus and AFC Leopards' Austin Otieno.

Origi also makes a comeback to the squad after a five year absence. He had retired from international duty to concentrate on his club career, but the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has been engaging him over a possible return and constant wooing from Kimanzi has paid off.

He is regarded as a safe pair of hands and a better option to current Kenya One Patrick Matasi who plies his trade at Ethiopian giants St George SC.

Harambee Stars could however miss the services of star striker Michael Olunga who plays for Kashiwa Reysol in Japan, midfielder Johanna Omolo and captain Victor Wanyama who plies his trade in Canada for Montreal Impact due to travel restrictions due to covid-19 in the respective countries.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Defenders
Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Harun Shakava (Nkana, Zambia), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya)

Midfielders

Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge K.S.V, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Brian Musa (Wazito, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards

Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Reserve Team

Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Stephen Otieno (Sofapaka, Kenya), Michael Mutinda (KCB), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya) Chrispinus Onyango (Tusker, Kenya), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya)