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A section of Harambee Stars fans have expressed their displeasure at the exclusion of Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala from the team set to face Russia in a friendly match
A section of Harambee Stars fans have questioned why Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has not been included in the national team selected for the upcoming friendly match against Russia.
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat named a 23-man squad composed of local and foreign-based players for the contest set to take place on October 16 in Turkey but there was no place for Omala, who is the leading scorer in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.
Omala has scored six goals from as many games for Gor Mahia, including a brace in Saturday’s 2-0 Mashemeji derby win over AFC Leopards, but will not be among the forwards lining up in Turkey with Masoud Juma, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, Moses Shummah and captain Michael Olunga preferred by Firat.
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14:06 - 08.10.2023
FOOTBALL Nine top players missing from Engin Firat's Harambee Stars squad for Russia friendly
Notable omissions from the Harambee Stars squad raise questions as fans wonder about the rationale behind the coach's choices.
This has seen fans question Firat’s selection, feeling that the striker should have been including in the squad given his hot form.
“25 goals last season, six goals so far, including a brace against that Blue team (AFC Leopards). Meanwhile, the proven strikers have not scored for Harambee Stars in centuries,” said a surprised fan.
“Ovella Ochieng, Masoud, Ayub Timbe are all off form. We have better players. We are not growing, we still believe in old players,” commented another one.
“Omala's goalscoring form shouldn’t translate into a call-up? Otherwise, what's the reason for being consistent?”
“I am always a patriotic Kenyan, but this time round and for snubbing Benson Omala for Harambee Stars call-up, may Russia drab our national team 8-0 in Turkey.”
However, some supporters feel Firat is well within his rights to make the big calls given some players have previously shown good form for their clubs but failed to replicate the same in the national team.
“Playing at club level and national team is different. Did you see how Jesse Were was scoring freely for Tusker FC and Zesco United but not effective in the national team?” posed another fan.
“Antony ‘Muki’ Kimani was awarded the Best Midfielder in KPL and wasn't selected to the national team.”
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11:33 - 08.10.2023
FOOTBALL Free agent Ovella Ochieng back as Engin Firat names Harambee Stars squad to face Russia
Ovella has been a free agent since being released by Richards Bay at the end of last season.
“Shummah got a chance in the national team and proved himself, he scored, otherwise he could not be in that squad,” said another supporter, who defended the selection of the Kakamega Homeboyz striker.
The selected players will depart the country on Monday ahead of the match which Kenya will be seeking to win, having lost their last contest 1-0 to South Sudan, in Nairobi in September.
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