EXCLUSIVE:Oliech/Mariga omitted in Williamson’s Afcon squad

by
Collins Okinyo
May 30, 2015

By Bonface Osano,

Kenya’s Harambee Stars Coach Bobby Williamson has named a 32 man squad consisting of four goals keepers, six defenders, eight midfielders and twelve strikers to immediately start preparations for the AFCON 2017 and CHAN 2016 qualifiers, Soka25east.com can exclusively report.

Of the 32 players called up, six are foreign based while the rest ply their trade locally.

Notable inclusions in include Gor Mahia on form attacking midfielder Victor Ali Abondo, Chemelil FC’s midfielder Stephen Wakanya, defender Musa Mohammed who is making a comeback to the national team, Rangers FC keeper Ian Otieno, Peter Nzuki of Nakumatt FC and Mathare United’s Robinson Kamura.

Conspicuously missing in the squad are former skipper Dennis Oliech and Parma’s midfielder McDonald Mariga.

Kenya is in group ‘E’ of the AFCON 2017 qualifiers together with 2012 champions Zambia, Guinea Bissau and Congo Brazzaville.

The Stars will commence their campaign against Congo away between June 12th and 14th.

CHAN 2016 preliminary rounds will start from Friday June 19 to Sunday 21, 2015 with Harambee Stars playing another away match against Ethiopia in Addis.

As part of the preparations, the team will take part in Rwanda’s Peace Cup scheduled for June 6th to 7th and they will depart for Kigali next week Thursday June 4, 2015.

THE FULL SQUAD

Keepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Wycliffe Kasaya (AFC Leopards), Ian Otieno (Rangers FC) and Arnold Origi (Lillestrom)

Defenders: David Owino “Calabar” (Zesco United), Harun Shakava and Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Edwin Wafula and Jackson Saleh (AFC Leopards), David “Cheche” Ochieng (Al Tawoon – Saudi Arabia)Aboud Omar(Tusker)Sammy Meja (Thika United)

Midfielders: Victor Mugubi Wanyama (Southampton FC), Collins “Gattuso” Okoth and Victor Ali Abondo (Gor Mahia), Benard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC), Ayub Timbe Masika (Lierse – Belgium), Francis Kahata (FK Tirana – Albania), Anthony Akumu (Al Khartoum – Sudan)

Strikers: Jesse Were and Kevin Kimani (Tusker FC), Paul Were (Not Attached), Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Jacob Keli, Noah Wafula and Mike Khamati (AFC Leopards), Stephen Wakanya (Chemelil Sugar FC), Robinson Kamura (Mathare United), Allan Wanga (El Merreikh – Sudan), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt FC), John Makwata (Ulinzi Stars).

Find me on twitter @bonfaceosano

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Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com