Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Francis Wadegu
1 June 2011
Harambee Stars left the country yesterday morning for an early training camp in Angola ahead of their crucial 2012 Group ‘J’ African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Palancas Negras on Sunday. Coach Zedekiah Otieno named a 22-man team for the clash with Rangers winger Joseph Nyaga, Karuturi keeper Noah Ayuko and Sofapaka Congolese-born forward Bob Mugalia as some of the high profile players dropped from the squad.
Sweden-based Patrick Osiako was also missing as he had yet to arrive into the country and his place was taken up by former Tusker skipper Jerry Santos. “We want the players to adapt properly to the climate in Angola and also keep their concentration high and focused,” explained Zico as he explained his reasons for the early departure.
Stars were expected to leave the country last Friday for a friendly with Namibia but it fell through at the last minute, forcing Zico and his technical bench top change their plans. Patrick Oboya rejoins the team after missing out in the 2-1 first leg win over Angola and Zico was confident the Czech-based midfielder would make a difference.”His talent has never been in doubt but it is up to him to leave up to the high standards he has set for himself. He has players around him who can help him achieve that,” he said.
Sofapaka players John Njoroge, Osborne Monday, James Situma, Edgar Ochieng and Titus Mulama linked up with the team after arriving from Tunisia on Monday night but Mulama did not depart with his compatriots as he lost his bag during the Tunisia trip.
Allan Wanga and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo were also in the plane for Angola and they will provide the supporting strikers role to skipper Dennis Oliech, who is yet to score a goal in the qualifiers. Stars need to avoid defeat in Luanda to keep up their hopes of reaching the finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year.
KENYA’S SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Tusker), Jeremiah Onyango (Gor Mahia), Defenders: James Situma, Osborne Monday, Edgar Ochieng, John Njoroge (Sofapaka), Anthony Kimani (Mathare United), Pascal Ochieng (KCB), Joseph Shikokoti (Tusker) and Collins Kisuya (Ulinzi Stars); Midfielders: Victor Mugabe (Germinia Beerschot, Belgium), Jamal Mohammed, Jerry Santo (unattached), Titus Mulama (Sofapaka) Kevin Ochieng (Rangers), Patrick Oboya (Trinec, Czech Republic); Strikers:
Dennis Oliech, captain (Auxerre, France), Mike Barasa (Ulinzi Stars), Allan Wanga (Hoà ng Anh Gia Lai,Vietnam), George Odhiambo (Randers, Denmark).
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Harambee Stars Off to Angola