By Samuel Gacharira,
At least eight new faces have been called up to the national team ahead of the away friendly match against the Atlas Lions of Morocco slated for 13th October. Coach Bobby Williamson knows the importance of this fixture in terms of FIFA rankings and will hope to pick up a decent result that will catapult them from position 111 in the rankings.
The squad is a blend of youth and experience with a bulk of the squad that did duty in the last assignment against Egypt in Aswan been retained for continuity purposes.
The rookies include the likes of Victor Ndinya (Bandari), Robert Mboya (Mathare United), Ekalianah Ndolo (Sofapaka), Nelson Simwa (West Kenya Sugar) and the Tusker FC duo of Athman Buki and Clifford Alwanga.
The efforts of youngsters who starred for the U20 national team in the Cosafa U20 tournament coupled with sterling performances for their respective clubs this season have not gone unnoticed. Anthony Ndung’u (Liberty Academy), Timonah Wanyonyi (AFC Leopards), Enock Agwanda (Sofapaka), Timothy Otieno (Gor Mahia) and Sammy Meja (Thika United) have all been handed their maiden senior team call up.
The team has been boosted by the availability of foreign based players given that this fixture falls in the FIFA calendar. Burly Southampton midfield enforcer Victor Wanyama from Southampton leads the foreign platoon that also consists of experienced shot stopper Arnold Origi, Allan Wanga who has been on a scoring spree for El Merreikh and speedy winger Ayub Timbe who is based in Belgium.
The Tusker FC trio of Osborne Monday, Samuel Odhiambo and Jesse Were has earned their first call up under Bobby Williamson and will look to mark their return to the national team in style.
Notable exclusions are Anthony Akumu, Paul Were, Clifton Miheso, Brian Osumba and Jockins Atudo.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi(Lillestrom,Norway), Jerim Onyango(Gor Mahia), Wilson Obungu(Bandari), Samuel Odhiambo(Tusker), Robert Mboya(Mathare United)
Defenders: Aboud Omar, Athman Buki(Tusker),Edwin Wafula ,Jackson Saleh(AFC Leopards) David Owino(Gor Mahia), Sammy Meja, Dennis Odhiambo(Thika United),Charles Odette(Sony Sugar)
Midfielders: Victor Wanyama(Southampton, England) Ayub Timbe(Lierse SK,Belgium) Osborne Monday(Tusker), Humphrey Mieno, Timonah Wanyonyi(AFC Leopards), Ekalianah Ndolo,Duncan Kago(Sofapaka), Harrison Mwendwa(Mathare United) Geoffrey Kataka(KRA) Nelson Simwa(West Kenya Sugar), Anthony Ndung’u(Liberty Academy)
Forwards: Allan Wanga(El Merreikh, Sudan)Noah Wafula(AFC Leopards)Victor Ndinya(Bandari), Jesse Were, Clifford Alwanga(Tusker),Timothy Otieno(Gor Mahia),Enock Agwanda(Sofapaka)
