Wanga Hails Harambee Stars Comeback, No Oliech Return Yet

17th February 2019

SPL side Kakamega Homeboyz interim head coach among 25 players called up by Migne to 2019 AFCON finals camp that starts on Tuesday in Nairobi

Kakamega Homeboyz FC coach cum player, Allan Wanga during a training session at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on February 6, 2019.PHOTO/SPN
Kakamega Homeboyz FC coach cum player, Allan Wanga during a training session at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on February 6, 2019.PHOTO/SPN
SUMMARY
  • The selected side will also train for the 2020 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) first round qualifier against Burundi at a date to be announced by the Confederation of African Football in due course as well as the last AFCON qualifier away to Ghana next month
  • Wanga returned to haunt his former club Tusker FC at Ruaraka Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday afternoon, scoring the solitary goal that climbed them to eighth in the SPL standings as he continued his fine form having been appointed as the interim coach of the side following the exit of Ugandan Paul Nkata
  • Oliech, the only active player in the SPL who featured in the AFCON the last time Kenya qualified in 2014, is currently sidelined with injury

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kakamega Homeboyz FC interim head coach and striker Allan Wanga has welcomed his return to national football team Harambee Stars after he was listed among 25  local based players called up by head coach, Sébastien Migné on Sunday.

The squad will start preparations on Tuesday for the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals as the team marks its return to the continental showpiece after a 15-year absence.

There was no sentimental return of former teammate and record goal scorer, Dennis Oliech, who has been a hit since returning to domestic football with SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions, Gor Mahia FC.

The selected side will also train for the 2020 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) first round qualifier against Burundi at a date to be announced by the Confederation of African Football in due course as well as the last AFCON qualifier away to Ghana next month.

“It’s every player’s dream to be part of the national team. At the moment I’m doing pretty well in the league. I’ll keep on scoring goals and working hard to be part of the final squad for AFCON,” Wanga who has notched 22 goals in 44 internationals told .

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Wanga returned to haunt his former club Tusker FC at Ruaraka Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday afternoon, scoring the solitary goal that climbed them to eighth in the SPL standings as he continued his fine form having been appointed as the interim coach of the side following the exit of Ugandan Paul Nkata.

The seasoned striker improved his tally for the season to five, two shy of SPL top scorer Enosh Ochieng' (Ulinzi Stars FC) in the race for the Golden Boot he previously won in 2007 when he fired Tusker FC to the title with 20.

The ex-Petro Atletico de Luada, FC Baku and Azam FC striker has been excused by Migne from Stars first training session at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi alongside Elvis Nandwa, Abdallah Hassan, Farouk Shikalo, and Benard Ochieng. The five will link up with the team the following week.

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Oliech, the only active player in the SPL who featured in the AFCON the last time Kenya qualified in 2014, returned from from injury to play for Gor on Sunday with three of his teammates Francis Kahata, Philemon Otieno and Joash Onyango  also excused due to their club’s midweek SPL fixture against Western Stima FC in Nairobi on Wednesday.

SELECTED PLAYERS

Goalkeepers

Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari)

Defenders

Andrew Juma (Mathare United), David Owino (Mathare United), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Elvis Nandwa (Ulinzi Stars), Michael Kibwage (KCB), Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United)

Midfielders

Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Duke Abuya (Kariobangi Sharks), Roy Okal (Mathare United), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United), John Avire (Sofapaka), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka), Teddy Osok (Wazito FC), Whyonne Isuza (AFC Leopards), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari)

Forwards

Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Allan Wanga (Kakamega HomeBoyz), David Juma (Tusker)