Nairobi, Kenya: Kenya intends to field a strong side for their June 1 international friendly match against Ghana at Nyayo Stadium.
Dennis Oliech. PHOTOS: STAFFORD ONDEGO
In this regard, the technical bench will invite captain Dennis Oliech and number one goalkeeper Arnold Origi who are both suspended for the June 5 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
Ghana will set up camp in Nairobi ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Sudan and will use the Kenyan friendly as part of their build-up.
Harambee Stars assistant coach James Nandwa confirmed Monday that the two will be part of the team to take on Ghana since they are eligible to play in the June 14 World Cup qualifier against Malawi.
“We are taking the friendly seriously thus we want all our top players ready for it,” said Nandwa.
Striking crisis
He added the team is facing a striking crisis missing Oliech will affect them but he said they are working on identifying those who can fill in the gap.
“We are looking at Kepha Aswani and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo because they are currently enjoying top form,” he added.
Nandwa also revealed that they are also pursuing Dujovic Origi who is based in France and turns out for Lille in the French ligue one.
“He has just turned 18 and this is the right time for make a decision regarding his future. We are hoping he can play for Kenya instead of Belgium,” he added.
The team on Monday received a major boost when Coca-Cola donated water and juices to help in their training.
According to Amphor Apidi from Nairobi bottlers, the company will provide drinks to the team during the entire World Cup campaign.
Water provision
“We are delighted to help our national team have good preparations ahead of the qualifiers and as a company we promise to stand by them through-out,” said Apidi who is also a former national U-17 team manager.
Stars will be training three times a week until May 27 when they will not break until they take on Nigeria and Malawi.
Elsewhere, Kenya midfielder Victor Wanyama was named the Celtic Young Player of the Year Award on Sunday night.
The award caps a brilliant season for the Kenyan international after he put in a great performance to help the club win a second Scottish title this season.
The player is also a nominee for the prestigious Young Player of the Year award in the SPL, and was also shortlisted as one of the three most promising players on the African continent by the Confederation of African football (Caf) last November.
Wanyama will contest for the PFA award, along with Dundee United duo Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven and Leigh Griffiths of Hibernian and his performance is also a major boost for Harambee Stars ahead of two World Cup qualifiers this year.
By Gibert Wandera, The Standard
