Gor Mahia forward George ‘Black Berry’ Odhiambo returns to the national team Harambee Stars after a long duration in the cold. Odhiambo is among 19 locally-based players named by head coach Stanley Okumbi for their Fifa friendly match against Mozambique away in Maputo on September 2.
His heroics in the SportPesa Super Cup in Tanzania in June, which saw K’Ogalo clinch the title, coupled with his and match-winning goals in the Kenyan Premier League has paid off for the 2010 KPL Player of the Year.
Nakumatt FC marksman Kepha Aswani also returned to the team after being out for long with Vihiga United defender Bernard Ochieng, Joe Waithera of Wazito and Chris Ochieng of Mathare United the surprise call-ups.
The three will be eager to make their international debut after impressing the selection panel with their decent displays in the recent past.
The team will report to camp tomorrow at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies thereafter leave for Mozambique on August 31.
The friendly match will be a buildup to the upcoming Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) set for January next year and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana and Ethiopia in March and September next year respectively.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)
Defenders: Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Omar Mbongi (Ulinzi Stars), Simon Mbugua (Posta Rangers)
Midfielders: Ernest Wendo (Gor Mahia), Victor Majid (AFC Leopards), George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Jackson Macharia (Tusker), Daniel Waweru (Ulinzi Stars)
Strikers: Samuel Onyango (Ulinzi Stars), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker), Kepha Aswani (Nakumatt), Masoud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks), Stephen Waruru (Ulinzi Stars), Joe Waithera (Wazito), Chris Ochieng (Mathare United)
