Stars face Tanzania in Kigali
Kenya’s Harambee Stars will face Tanzania on Saturday afternoon in the Memorial Peace Cup tournament at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
The national team left the country on Friday afternoon led by coach Bobby Williamson who carried with him a depleted squad of only 13 players.
Williamson’s squad comprised eight foreign based players and five others drawn from the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, and Williamson openly expressed disappointment with the situation, saying the league weekend matches should have been cancelled.
“I do not have the numbers and this is obviously a challenge because now I will have to travel with only 11 outfield players. The federations should have cancelled the weekend matches but I know there is a lot of politics playing out and that is not helping the national team,” Williamson said.
EASE PRESSURE
“The greatest challenge will be during tomorrow’s (Saturday) match but I expect about four players to join us on Sunday morning to help ease pressure on the squad,” he added.
Stars will compete against three other nations namely South Sudan, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda and should they win their opening match against Tanzania, they will get into the finals where they will face the winner of the match between South Sudan and Rwanda.
The team will be captained by Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama during the two-day tournament.
Harambee Stars Squad – Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Posta Rangers), Bonface Baraza (Posta Rangers), Defenders: David Ochieng (Al-Tawoon, Saudi Arabia), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Charles Odette (Posta Rangers), Midfielders: Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Ayub Timbe (Lierse SK, Belgium), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt), Stephen Wakhanya (Chemelil Sugar), Francis Kahata (FK Tirana Albania), Anthony Akumu (Al Khartoum, Sudan), Strikers: Paul Were (Amazulu, South Africa), Allan Wanga (El-Mereikh), Andrew Murunga (Talanta)