Harambee Stars to play friendly in Europe
Kenya could play its first ever international match in Europe next month, after Harambee Stars landed an invite to play Iran’s team Melli in a high profile friendly set for Istanbul, Turkey.
This clash is tentatively set for the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, a venue that hosts the home matches of top flight club Fenerbache, between June 5 and 10.
Sources told Nairobi News that Football Kenya Federation is planning a week-long camp for the national team in the European City, as part of preparations for the 2017 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers that will begin on the weekend of June 12.
Stars will commence the campaign for this competition with an away match to Congo Brazzaville. Iran is coached by former Manchester United and Real Madrid trainer Carlos Queiroz.
POOR FORM
Coach Bobby Williamson will be seeking to turn around the team’s recent poor form, which has consistently faltered in both the All Africa Games and Olympic Games qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Micheal Olunga has been recalled to the U-23 squad for this weekend’s Africa Youth Championship qualifier against Botswana in Nairobi.
Olunga who has seven league goals to his name this season, missed the first leg clash between these two teams in Lobatse owing to personal commitments.
Kenya lost the match 3-0 and needs to win the return leg match by four clear goals to stand a chance of progressing to the next stage of the qualifiers.
Under 23 squad: Robert Olang Mboya (Mathare United), Ian Aubrey Otieno (Posta Rangers), Collins Shivachi (Sofapaka), Brian Kiptum Birgen (Ulinzi Stars), Vincent Omumbo Otieno (Thika United), David Gateri Wainaina (Bandari), John Ndirangu Njoroge (Bandari), Victor Reuben Ndinya (Bandari), Harrison Nzivo Mwendwa (Mathare United), John Nairuka Wanyonyi (Ulinzi Stars), David Kingatua (Bandari), Anthony Mbugua (Hapoel Jerusalem), Luis Tera Misiko (OGC Nice France), Stephen Mukongolo Wakanya (Chemelil), Vincent Likare Odongo (Kariobangi Sharks), Hilary Dan Otieno (Kariobangi Sharks), Robinson Mwangi Kamura (Mathare United), Harun Shekava (Gor Mahia), Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Jackson Macharia (Thika United), Chrispin Onyango (KCB), Alfred Wekesa Wanyonyi ‘Kemboi’ (Kakamega High School), Joseph Okumu (Kakamega High School), Apollo Otieno (Kakamega High School), Masuta Bitolwa Masita (Muhoroni Youth), Mohamed Yusuf (Muhoroni Youth), Nicholas Kipkirui (Zoo Kericho) and Mosed Mudavadi (Home Boyz).