"Fighter" and Mulama recalled, Ayuko dropped as Hey names Stars squad

By James Waindi/The Standard

Harambee Stars coach, Antoine Hey, has recalled two Mathare United players to the national team set to resume training on Monday.

Stars, who lost the opening match 2-1 to Tunisia at home last month, face Nigeria’s Super Eagles for their second Group Two 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on June 6 in Lagos.

The duo making a come back to the squad are Edgar Ochieng’, who captained the side during the regional tournament in Uganda early this year where Kenya finished second and veteran midfielder Titus Mulama.

Custodian Duncan Ochieng and midfielder Austin Makacha, who joined Swedish club Ik Sirius last week were, however, not recalled.

Hey had dropped the quartet a week before the Tunisia tie after they left camp without notice as they heeded their club’s call for a trip to Mombasa to face Bandari in a league match.

Speaking yesterday as he named a 23-man squad, Hey said he was introducing a commitment letter, which all the called-up players would have to sign before they join the camp to avoid conflicts between clubs and the national team over players.

"I would not like to see such a scenario in future and to avoid it I will need each player and his club to sign a commitment letter before the players report to camp. However, I am still going to talk with the Mathare United players to know what exactly led to their actions," said Hey.

Sher Karuturi’s goalkeeper Noah Ayuko was the biggest casualty in Hey’s team, while Petro Atletico’s striker Allan Wanga, Tusker defender Jockins Atudo and midfielder Jamal Mohammed also missed the team.

Hey said he was not impressed with the manner Ayuko easily conceded two goals against Tunisia and noted that Finland based Willis Ochieng and first choice goalkeeper Arnold Origi had fully recovered from their injuries and would be considered for the Nigeria tie.

On form Thika United midfielder Chrispin Olando, Nairobi City Stars defender Thomas Wanyama and Sofapaka skipper James Situma are the new faces in the national team, while veteran Ibrahim Shikanda (Azam) and Mike Baraza (Yanga) are making a come back.

Hey said the team was expected to leave the country on May 18 for a two weeks training camp in Germany where they are expected to play a number of friendly matches before flying directly to Lagos for the crucial match.

"We are planning to travel to Germany on May 18 for a two weeks training camp and while there we will play a number of friendlies against the local clubs. The professional players will join us in Germany and we plan to travel directly to Lagos on June 2," said Hey.

TEAM:

Goalkeepers: David Okello (Thika United), Wilson Oburu (Sofapaka); Defenders: Pascal Ochieng (KCB), Joseph Shikokoti, John Njoroge (Tusker), George Owino (Yanga), Ibrahim Shikanda (Azam), Thomas Wanyama (City Stars), James Situma (Sofapaka), Edgar Ochieng (Mathare United), Julius Owino (Gor Mahia), Mulinge Ndeto (Ulinzi); Midfielders: Fred Ojwang (Tusker), Peter Opiyo (Gor Mahia), Evans Wandera (Sofapaka), Osborne Monday (Azam), Chrispin Olando (Thika United); Strikers: Boniface Ambani, Benjamin Mwalala, Mike Baraza (Yanga), Francis Ouma (Azam), Victor Mugabe (Unattatched).