With new Stars coach Paul Put still assessing the situation, his assistant Stanley Okumbi has called up 25 players ahead of the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge set to begin on December 3.
AFC Leopards custodian Gabriel Andika has been handed the opportunity to earn his stripes as he was named among the three shot stoppers who will do duty for Kenya in the two-week tournament.
Kakamega Homeboyz’ defender Charles Momanyi is among a handful of players who will be in line to earn their first caps far the national team. Others are his Vihiga United counterpart Bernard Ochieng, who is the only player in the second tier league to have been called up for the regional tourney.
Sony Sugar star Benjamin Mosha, whose performances helped the sugar millers avert what looked to be a relegation tussle has also been named in the squad.
Gor Mahia’s right back Wellington Ochieng will also have the opportunity to impress for his country after a stellar season that earned him a first winners medal in the SportPesa Premier League.
The team is entirely made up of players, who feature in the local leagues. Part of the team that triumphed in the 2013 tourney in Nairobi—Boniface Oluoch, Musa Mohammed, Harun Shakava and Jockins Atudo are still in the team while previous campaigners Stephen Waruru and Partilla Omoto are also included in the experienced squad.
The tourney will be held at four different venues across the country thus —Moi Stadium Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, Mumias Complex and Nakuru’s Afraha with Nairobi (Kasarani) and Machakos (Kenyatta Stadium) counties acting as stand-by venues.
Stars are in a tricky Group ‘A’ with former champion Rwanda, Tanzania, Zanzibar and first time guest nation Libya. Defending champions, Uganda pulled a relatively easy Group ‘B’ alongside Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.
The team is scheduled to report to camp on Sunday.
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor), Gabriel Andika (AFC), Patrick Matasi (Rangers);
Defenders: Musa Mohammed (Gor), Charles Momanyi (Homeboyz), Dennis Shikhayi (Leopards), Jockins Atudo (Rangers), Harun Shakava (Gor), Wellington Ochieng (Gor), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga) and Omar Mbongi (Ulinzi Stars);
Midfielders: Ernest Wendo (Gor), Whyvonne Issuza (Leopards), Kenneth Muguna (Gor), Patillah Omotto (Sharks), Duncan Otieno (Leopards), Ovellah Ochieng (Sharks), Lawrence Juma (Nzoia);
Strikers: Samuel Onyango (Ulinzi), Kepha Aswani (Nakumatt), George Odhiambo (Gor), Masoud Juma (Sharks), Vincent Oburu (AFC), Stephen Waruru (Ulinzi), Benjamin Mosha (Sony).
-Francis Wadegu