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Pulse Sports looks at the options available to Harambee Stars coach Egin Firat following the unavailability of three first-choice defenders ahead of Gabon and Seychelles matches
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat will be without three of his first-choice defenders as well as goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gabon on Thursday and Seychelles next week.
Firat revealed on Monday that his camp has been disrupted by injuries which will force him to change his plans for the two crucial matches which will be played away.
“You know by now Bryne Odhiambo is out, Collins Sichenje had surgery, he is out, Daniel Anyembe is out. Brian Mandela we will see if there is any chance, I will talk with him again,” Firat told the media.
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16:45 - 13.11.2023
FOOTBALL Okumu, Marcelo doubtful for Harambee Stars' World Cup qualifiers
Injury concerns loom as two dependable defenders face doubt ahead of vital World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Seychelles.
“Joseph Okumu big question, he is now in Paris for MRI because he got a last-minute knock [at the weekend] same for Marcelo [Eric Ouma] I spoke yesterday with the doctor we will see. Ayub [Timbe] is a long-term problem.”
That leaves Firat short of experience at the back and he will have to shuffle his pack and hope that those selected can build an understanding in a short period of time for the matches.
Looking at his recent line-ups, the Turkish tactician seemed to have already settled on a back four as it remained largely unchanged in three straight matches.
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17:00 - 13.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat blasts ignorant Kenyans for ‘destroying’ Omala in race for Harambee Stars starting berth
The Harambee Stars coach expressed his displeasure at Kenyan fans who have been pushing for captain Michael Olunga to be dropped in favour of Gor Mahia forward Benson Omala
Against Qatar in September’s friendly, he kept faith with KCB goalkeeper Bryne Odhimabo, with Johnstone Omurwa and Okumu partnered in central defence while Anyembe was deployed at right-back and Marcelo at left-back.
Firat only made one change to the team as Kenya hosted South Sudan four days later with Brian Mandela slotting in at centre-back alongside Okumu after Omurwa returned to his club Estrela da Amadora early following a request from the Portuguese side.
In the match against Russia, only two changes were made as Amos Nondi played at right-back in the absence of Anyembe, who was not released on time by his Danish club Viborg.
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07:34 - 30.10.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba names Michael Olunga’s successor at Harambee Stars
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba is confident that Kenya will not struggle to replace captain Michael Olunga as there is another talented young striker capable of taking over.
That might perhaps give a glimpse at how Kenya will line up in defence in the absence of Firat’s go-to men. Odhiambo’s absence was already known when he went off early against Russia to be replaced with Patrick Matasi and the Kenya Police goalkeeper is likely to stay in goal.
However, at centre-back, there are still doubts on Mandela’s availability given as Firat promised to convince him to link up with the squad. If he agrees, then the coach will field him alongside Omurwa, giving him two experienced players at the heart of defence but if it proves problematic, then KCB youngster Hanif Wesonga could be handed his debut.
US-born Nabi Kibunguchy also earned his maiden call-up but Firat is unlikely to throw him in the deep end so soon.
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18:15 - 25.10.2023
Kenyan fans demand Olunga replicates performance against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr for Harambee Stars
Harambee Stars fans have expressed mixed reactions to Michael Olunga’s goal scoring performance against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, making comparisons to his recent profligate performances for Kenya.
Wesonga has impressed so far this season after overcoming a long-term injury last term to start the 2023-24 campaign on a high and the 20-year-old could also be an offensive weapon for Kenya, especially on set-pieces, given he has scored three goals so far for the bankers.
That will leave the Turkish coach with the headache of whom to field at full-back.
Firat deployed Nondi at right-back against Russia and he is likely to keep faith with him for the sake of continuity or he can choose to switch positions with Rooney Onyango with the Gor Mahia youngster in defence while the Ararat-Armenia man switches to the wing.
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06:00 - 18.10.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars: Has Firat found his team for 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat seems to have settled on a core of players whom seems to trust which points to how he plans to select his team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
The Harambee Stars coach has more to think about at left-back since Marcelo has made his position his own. Kenya Police’s Aboud Omar, Tusker’s Daniel Sakari and Gor Mahia captain Geoffrey ‘Simiti’ Ochieng will be vying for a starting berth at left-back.
Omar and Sakari last started for the national team during the four-nations tournament in June when Kenya beat Pakistan 1-0.
Of the two, Omar was an unused substitute in the subsequent matches against Qatar and South Sudan while Sakari was a late substitute against Russia.
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14:45 - 13.11.2023
FOOTBALL Seychelles players boycott training in lead up to Harambee Stars clash
Seychelles national team confronts a player boycott due to club interference and Gacon test disputes ahead of the Harambee Stars match.
While fans might want to see more of the no-nonsense and hard-tackling Ochieng, Omar has a slight advantage over the rest owing to his experience in the side.
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