Gor Mahia right back Wellington Ochieng’ has been called to the national team Harambee Stars for the first time.
Wellington is among home-based professionals summoned Wednesday for the 14th November FIFA friendly versus Zambia in Machakos.
The former Agro Chemicals and Muhoroni Youth player has shown tremendous growth with the 2017 Kenyan Premier League champions and the call up does not come as a surprise.
He has been touted as the permanent solution to Kenya’s right full back problems.
Previously, central defenders have been handed the position with little success.
Wellington is known for his menacing runs and on point crosses and ability to comfortably transit from defense to attack and back.
He also has a knack for scoring crucial goals especially headers.
Six more K’Ogalo players have also made the cut namely goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch, who has not been a regular at club, defenders Musa Mohammed, Harun Shakava, midfielders Kenneth Muguna, Ernest Wendo and striker George Odhiambo.
Making a return to the team after sometime in the cold is Ulinzi Stars left full back Omar Mbongi.
Regular call-ups Patillah Omotto and Masoud Juma both of Kariobangi Sharks have also been included.
Stars previous warm-ups against Iraq and Thailand ended in losses – pilling pressure on Okumbi to quit.
Football Kenya Federation has however swung to his defense each time the temperature rises – reiterating that their focus is long term and not immediate results.
Kenya and Zambia last met in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers with the first leg ending 2-1 in favor of the Copper Bullets and the return match settling for a 1-1 draw.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers
Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Gabriel Andika (AFC Leopards), Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)
Defenders
Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Wellington Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Dennis Sikhayi (AFC Leopards), Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Charles Momanyi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Omar Mbongi (Ulinzi Stars)
Midfielders
Ernest Wendo (Gor Mahia), Shaffan Siwa (Chemelil Sugar), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia ), Patillah Omotto (Kariobangi Sharks), Peter Ng’ang’a (Nakuru All-Stars), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Chris Ochieng (Mathare United), Jackson Macharia (Tusker FC), Whyvonne Isuzza (AFC Leopards)
Attackers
Samuel Onyango (Ulinzi Stars), Kepha Aswani (Nakumatt), George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Masoud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks), Vincent Oburu (AFC Leopards) Chris Masinza (Vihiga United), Simon Abuko (KCB), Ezekiel Otuoma (Western Stima)
