Monday happy to return to team

Courtesy of The Standard

International midfielder, Osborne Monday, is happy to return to the national team after being left out during the Tunisia match.

Monday, who was a regular player in former coach Francis Kimanzi’s squad, earned his first call-up under tactician Antoine Hey when the German named his provisional 23-man team last week. He has vowed to fight for first team slot.

In the absence of veterans Austine Makacha, Titus Mulama and Jamal Mohammed, all of whom have been axed from the team, Monday, who was outstanding at the Ceacafa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda early this year, is highly tipped to assume the midfield role alongside influential McDonald Mariga, who plies trade for Serie B giants Parma FC in Italy.

"I am happy to be given this chance and I am going to prove my worth in the team. I know the competition will be stiff but I’m ready for the challenge and I will strive to maintain my first team position.

"Nigeria’s match is very tricky and crucial for us but they are not in any way superior to us. I believe it will be an equal contest but we have to be very focused and prepared," said Monday who joined Tanzania’s league side Azam United from regional club champions Tusker FC.

Meanwhile, international players from Tanzania league champions Yanga are expected to join the rest of the squad on Sunday.

Speaking to striker Bonface Ambani on phone from Dar es Salaam, he said they had delayed to join the camp because they had to clear with their club first.

"The league has just ended and we are yet to receive our wages from the club.

"This is what is holding us here, but I believe everything will be sorted out soon and we will probably be in Nairobi by Saturday and join camp on Sunday," said Ambani.