Kenyan international and Zesco United defender David “Calabar” Owino will not be available when Kenya takes on “Club M” of Mauritius in the round 1 preliminaries of 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday 7,Soka25east.com can confirm.

Speaking to our news desk from his base in Ndola,Zambia, a disappointed Calabar explained that he has not heard from Kenyan FA concerning his air ticket to the Island nation.

“They (FKF) promised to send me air ticket by today (Tuesday 6) to travel to Mauritius but till now I have not heard from them, I don’t know their plans,” he said.

The former Gor Mahia man has been a regular for club and country, serving both with passion, loyalty and dedication.

He has refuted claims that it is his parent club that refused to grant him permission to represent country, saying he has been free since playing for Zesco on Saturday 3.

“I love my country and I cannot refuse to wear national colors, any opportunity I get to play for Stars, I will always grab it with two hands and I know my club cannot deny me such a chance. I hope to be in Nairobi for the return leg,” he added

Owino’s focus is now on tomorrow’s potential league decider against rivals and third placed Power Dynamos. Zesco enjoys a seven point gap at the top of the Zambian Super League and a win tomorrow will bring them closer to the crown.

He wished the Kenyan team victory saying they have all his blessings, “I know the team in Mauritius is capable of making Kenya proud, I wish them well.” He concluded.

Meanwhile three foreign based players linked up with the team on Tuesday; Skipper Victor Wanyama who plies his trade for Southampton, Ayub Timbe of Lierse in Belgium and Royal Antwerp’s Johanna Omollo joined the team and was present in the team’s last training.

@bonfaceosano