Boost for Harambee Stars as foreign-based duo joins camp

©FKF

Boost for Harambee Stars as foreign-based duo joins camp

Festus Chuma 15:26 - 28.05.2024

Harambee Stars bolster squad with new and returning overseas players ahead of critical FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Malawi.

Harambee Stars have been boosted by the arrival of two new players as preparations heat up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Germany-based Tobias Knost who turns for SV Verl and  Zambia-based John Ochieng have both joined the national camp bringing fresh talent and enthusiasm.

Other foreign-based players who have recently checked into the Harambee Stars camp include Duke Abuya and Elvis Rupia, both of whom are playing their club football in Tanzania.

Portogal-based Johnstone Omurwa and Alphonse Omija from Oman, and Armenia-based Amos Nondi have also reported to camp alongside Bradford City’s Adam Wilson and Bruce Kamau from Perth Glory who are both keen to earn their first senior caps.

According to FKF portal, Azerbaijan-based Ayub Timbe is expected to link up with the team before their departure to Malawi. 

 Richard Odada, Daniel Anyembe, and captain Michael Olunga are set to fly directly from their clubs to join the team in Malawi.

The Harambee Stars are slated to face Burundi on June 7, followed by a match against Ivory Coast on June 11. 

Both fixtures will take place at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, as part of matchdays three and four of the qualifiers. 

The group is tightly contested, with Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya all vying for the top spot, which guarantees a direct ticket to the World Cup.

Engin Firat's charges have gathered three points from their first two games against Gabon and Seychelles and are looking to leverage the fresh energy brought by the new and returning players. 

With only the group leader securing an automatic World Cup berth and the best four runners-up across nine groups entering a playoff for a spot in the Inter-confederation playoffs, every match and point will be crucial.

Follow us on X (Twitter) for more updates