The first batch of five Kenya National football team players have on Saturday, October 6, 2018, jetted out to Ethiopia alongside coach Sébastien Migné, ahead of the upcoming two-legged Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Ethiopia.
The second batch will travel on Monday, with foreign-based players also set to link up with the team in Ethiopia on the same day.
Coach Migné, in the meantime, has expressed optimism that Stars will give a good account of themselves while noting that captain Victor Wanyama’s inclusion is a big boost to the team’s pursuit for a second appearance at the continental showpiece.
“Of course it won’t be easy against Ethiopia since they are also equally strong, but my players are up to the task and I am confident we will get a positive result,” said coach Migné.
“We won against Ghana without our captain, it will be morale boosting for us to also win with him. He is one of our most experienced players and will be crucial for us against Ethiopia,” he added.
The match has been slated for Wednesday, October 10, 2018, at the Bahir Dar Stadium, with the return leg set to be played on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the MISC Kasarani.
Saturday traveling team
Farouk Shikalo (Bandari, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari, Kenya), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Monday traveling team
Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Patrick Matasi (Tusker, Kenya), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka, Kenya), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United, Kenya)
Foreign Based Players
Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg FC, South Africa), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), Ismael Gonzales (Las Palmas, Spain), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol), Erick Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund)
The Harambee stars team defeated a much fancied Ghana at Kasarani by a 1-0 scoreline, last month. It was a spirited fight and a show of discipline from the Kenyan squad, who played the last half an hour of the match a man down, after Joash Onyango was given marching orders.
The other clash in the same group pitting Ghana versus Sierra Leone is in limpo after FIFA bans the Sierra Leone football Association. The match is scheduled for Thursday, 11 October, 2018… Download the FIFA communique, here..FIFA bans Sierra Leone football association
Ghana highlights group F with 3 points but all the teams are tied on points; separated by goal difference. Kenya is second, followed by Sierra Leone with Ethiopia at rock bottom.
