Wanyama and big names missing in Firat’s Harambee Stars squad

After head coach Engin Firat’s announcement of the latest Harambee Stars provisional squad, Pulse Sports looks at the big names missing.

Firat revealed the players he intends to use in a friendly match against Iran on Tuesday 28 March, but who are the surprising absentees from the provisional team?

Gad Mathews

One of the standout goalkeepers in the league so far, and his absence is set to raise questions over the latest call list, especially with the inclusion of Ian Otieno, who has fallen down the pecking order at Zesco United.

At Zesco, Cyril Cibwe has been the preferred choice over the Kenyan custodian.

However, Gad has kept 10 clean sheets so far and is one of the best-performing players for Gor Mahia.

Humphrey Mieno

His experience would have given Kenya a more competitive edge against Iran in the midfield.

Mieno has been a key figure for Tusker over the seasons, especially in the last two campaigns when they emerged as Premier League winners albeit the 2021-2022 season being annulled. 

Victor Wanyama

He decided to reverse his international retirement after meeting the Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, and many expected him to be reinstated into the national set-up.

However, Firat decided to call up other midfielders and overlooked the CF Montreal assistant captain who skippered Harambee Stars in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder was however yet to announce his decision to rescind his international retirement.

Eric Johana

One of the best-attacking midfielders Kenya have for now.

But in recent times, he has failed to maintain his position on the national side, and the recent snub adds to the question of whether his time with Harambee Stars is slowly coming to an end.

Joash Onyango

Onyango has been a dependable centre-back since his time with Gor Mahia and now with Simba SC.

At Simba, he has fought back to become a regular starter despite stiff competition from Kennedy Juma.

Under Didier Gomes, he was a regular but was snubbed regularly by Pablo Franco. But Franco’s successor, Juma Mgunda – though was acting on an interim basis – preferred him as a starter.

Under current head coach Roberto Robertinho Oliveira, the former Western Stima center-back has become a regular first-teamer, and many expected Firat to summon him.

Dennis Ng’ang’a 

With his performances for Gor Mahia, the defender has proven his worth and credentials as a top-level star. His solidity has been key in helping K'Ohalo mount an impressive campaign so far.

His performance was expected to have attracted Firat’s attention, but his absence from the provisional squad has left tongues wagging.