Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has dropped Benson Omala, the top scorer of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, and Gor Mahia from the final squad that will play an international friendly match against Iran on March 28, 2023, in Tehran.
Despite Omala’s outstanding performance of 19 goals in 20 league matches, which helped Gor Mahia lead the FKF-PL standings with 42 points, the coach has opted for other players in the squad.
In addition to Omala, Bandari defenders Mohamed Siraj and Andrew ‘Roma’ Juma, the Nzoia Sugar duo of Hassan Beja and John Mwangi, AFC Leopards goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, and KCB’s Maurice Ojwang were also cut off from the team on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
The coach’s decision to leave out Omala has received criticism from football fans, who question the team’s attack strategy in the future without the inclusion of promising young players like the 21-year-old Omala.
The national team is set to depart for Tehran on Sunday for the friendly contest, which will be Kenya’s first match since FIFA lifted the country’s suspension due to government interference.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), Bryne Odhiambo (KCB).
Defenders: Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Joseph Okumu (Gent), Brian Mandela (Sundowns), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela), Eric Ouma (AIK), David Ochieng (Mathare United).
Midfielders: Amos Nondi (Ararat), Richard Odada (Philadelphia Union), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Wilkims Ochieng (FC Koper), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Kenneth Muguna (Azam), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari), Duke Abuya (Kenya Police)
Strikers: Alfred Scriven (IL Hodd), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Elvis Rupia (Kenya Police)
