Harambee Stars hit camp ahead of Mauritius Four Nations Tournament

FOOTBALL Harambee Stars hit camp ahead of Mauritius Four Nations Tournament

Festus Chuma 19:07 - 06.06.2023

Local-based players will be the first to report to residential camp with the foreign-based legion set to join them later on.

Harambee Stars have kicked off training ahead of the Four Nations Tournament, scheduled for Mauritius from June 11 to June 18, 2023.

Most of the local-based players reported to camp on Tuesday and participated in the first training session at Kasarani Annex.

Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala was among the first players to check in for the national team camp alongside Kenya Police FC defender David Ochieng and his teammate Abud Omar.

Sofapaka goalkeeper Simon Masaka, Kakamega Homeboyz defender Robinson Kamura and AFC Leopards marksman Victor Omune also participated in the team's first training session.

A number of the local-based players checked into camp on Tuesday, with their foreign-based counterparts set to join the the rest from Wednesday evening.

Harambee Stars are set to play against the hosts, Mauritius, Pakistan, and Djibouti, in a round-robin mini-tournament.

Last Monday, Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat named his 30-man provisional squad with an eye on future CAF and FIFA assignments.

"This tournament offers us diversity in the opponents we shall face, especially at a time when most African nations are engaged in AFCON Qualifiers. Playing three matches gives me an opportunity to give more players a chance to show what they can offer," said Stars head coach Engin Firat.

The team is scheduled to depart for Mauritius on June 10, 2023, and they will start off the tournament with a duel against Djibouti on Monday, June 12.

Firat's charges will play Pakistan two days later and finish the mini-tournament against hosts Mauritius on Sunday, June 18.

“This tournament offers us diversity in the opponents we shall face, especially at a time when most African nations are engaged in AFCON Qualifiers. Playing three matches gives me an opportunity to give more players a chance to show what they can offer,” Stars head coach Engin Firat said.

Provisional squad:

Gaolkeepers; Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Bryne Odhiambo (KCB) ,Brian Bwire (Tusker), Simon Masaka (Sofapaka)

Defenders: Joseph Okumu (Gent, Belgium), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg, Denmark), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden) Collins Shichenje (KUPS), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), David Ochieng (Kenya Police), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Mohamed Siraj (Bandari), Kevin Luke Otiala (Kariobangi Sharks), Robinson Kamura (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Midfielders : Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Richard Odada (Philadelphia Union, USA), Kenneth Muguna (Azam, Tanzania), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu, Japan), Alvin Mangeni (Kenya Police), Clifton Miheso (Kenya Police), Charles Ouma (Kenya Police), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari), Joseph Mwangi (Nzoia Sugar), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Bonface Omondi- (Gor Mahia), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards ).

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Masoud Juma (Difaa El Jadidi, Morocco), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia).