Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
Zimbabwe’s opponents, Kenya have been rocked by injuries ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Group J opener set for Kampala, Uganda, this Friday.
Kenya are under the tutelage of Turkish coach Engin Firat who named a 30-men squad led by Captain Michael Olunga who plies his trade in Oman and France-based defender Joseph Okumu who plays alongside Zimbabwe’s Marshal Munetsi at Stade de Reims.
European-based midfielders Timothy Ouma, Eric Johanna, Eric Ouma, and striker Jonah Ayunga of St Miren in Scotland are some of the big names expected to carry the day for the Harambe Stars.
Despite Olunga being named in the squad, Firat revealed that his captain will be assessed in Uganda while Serbia-based defender Collins Sichenje will also miss the match against Zimbabwe after sustaining an injury in training alongside goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
“We are unlucky when such matches come and we are not sure of him (Olunga). Sichenje is also out but we will have to work with the available players. Zimbabwe were in the last edition of AFCON and Namibia have a good squad also, so it will not be a walk in the park,” said Firat.
The Harambe Stars held their first training session this Monday in Uganda with a full squad complement after their foreign-based stars joined the locally-based players who were in camp since Friday last week.
Kenya are hosting the Warriors at a neutral venue due to the unavailability of approved stadiums in their country.
Meanwhile, Warriors team manager Clemence Matawu has confirmed all players called into camp have reported for duty in Kampala.
Warriors coach Micheal Nees is pleased with the development and the reception in Kampala.
He said, “ I am happy all the guys are on time and also happy with the facilities that we have here, they are second to none, it just leaves us to do our jobs.”
Kenya and Zimbabwe clash at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala this Friday before the Warriors host Cameroon at the same venue four days later.
