Eric Johana returns as Engin Firat names Harambee Stars squad for World Cup qualifiers

FOOTBALL Eric Johana returns as Engin Firat names Harambee Stars squad for World Cup qualifiers

Mark Kinyanjui 14:03 - 10.11.2023

Firat has named Eric Johana in his 28-man squad for the first time since taking over as head coach but also handed debut call-ups to three other players.

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has named Eric Johana Omondi as part of his 28-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Seychelles.

Firat has opted to make the squad have a blend of local and international-based players, with Orlando City’s Nabi Kibunguchy, Murang’a Seal’s Eric Balecho, and KCB’s Hanif Wesonga earning their maiden call-ups.

Gaborone United’s Duncan Otieno, Elfsborg’s Timothy Ouma, and UTA ARAD’s (Romania) Eric Johanna have also made a return to the team, while first-choice goalkeeper Bryne Omondi has unsurprisingly been dropped from the squad after being ruled out for three months with a leg injury.

There is also room for Gor Mahia’s Geoffrey Ochieng who has impressed for the FKF Premier League defending champions Gor Mahia.

Harambee Stars will first play against Gabon on Thursday, November 16, 2023 in Franceville, and then against Seychelles on Monday, November 20, 2023 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Foreign based players are expected to start checking in today, November 10, 2023. The team’s first training session shall be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

Departure to Gabon has been slated for Wednesday November 15, 2023 at 8 AM.

Kenya has been drawn in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.

Harambee Stars squad

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), Joseph Ochuka (Bandari)

Defenders: Nabi Kibunguchy (Orlando City), Hanif Wesonga (KCB), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Eric Ouma (AIK), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Johnstone Omurwa (CF Estrela), Amos Nondi (Ararat)

Midfielders: Duncan Otieno (Gaborone United), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Duke Abuya (Singida), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Balecho (Murang Seal), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Eric Johanna (UTA ARAD), Richard Odada (Aalborg), Alfred Scriven (Hodd) , Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg)

Forwards: Masud Juma (Al Faisaly), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)