Foreign-based Kamau, Gonzalez handed Harambee Stars call up
Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi has handed invites to two overseas based players of Kenyan origin.
Of this duo, Spain-based Ismail Gonzalez has confirmed he will be available for selection for the national team’s forthcoming assignments at the end of this month.
The other call up, Bruce Kamau, who is based in Australia, has however asked for time to make up his mind, as there is interest in his services from the current Australia national football team’s technical bench.
This according to a statement released by Football Kenya Federation on Sunday night.
“The talk with Gonzalez has been very positive, while Kamau is yet to make a decision. We are optimistic we will have both of them available for selection in the upcoming friendlies,” Coach Okumbi said.
Stars will play against Sudan and Tanzania in build up matches at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on May 27 and 29 respectively.
The two fixtures will be used to prepare the team for a dead rubber 2017 Africa Nations Cup qualification match against the Republic of Congo in Nairobi on June 5.
Gonzalez is a defensive midfielder who plies his trade at Spain’s second division club CP Cacerano.
Born to a Kenyan father and Spanish mother, the 21 year is in line to compete against Southampton’s Victor Wanyama and Zesco United’s Anthony Akumu for the anchorman’s role.
Kamau, who is also 21, is a pacy left or right sided winger who’s earned positive reviews in the Australian league this season, performances that earned him a lucrative move from Adelaide United to Melbourne City.
His older sibling Ian also plays professionally in the Australian top division.
Should he make the cut, the forward will battle Paul Were, Clifton Miheso and Belgium based Ayub Timbe in the creativity roles out-wide.
Stars have recently struggled for goals, scoring only twice in four Africa Nations Cup qualification matches.
