Harambee Stars begun training yesterday ahead of Saturday’s Afcon 2019 qualifier against Ghana in Group F at the Kasarani Stadium.
21 out of 38 players, who were summoned for the national duty, were present and trained under the watchful eyes of coach Sebastien Migne.
The remaining lot are expected to link up with the rest within the week.
Stars, who are yet to qualify for a major tournament since the 2004 Tunisia Afcon, commenced this campaign on a losing note after falling to Sierra Leone 2-1 away.
To keep their qualification hopes alive, Stars will need to avoid another loss against experienced Ghana, who boasts a galaxy of stars within their rank.
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Migne’s wisdom to call up a bloated squad of 38 for a five-day camp has been questioned but he is buoyant he can craft a winning team out of it within the short period.
“We have started off well. I’m happy with the players’ fitness levels and morale.
We are working on getting ready for the match. Ghana will pose a tough challenge but I have trust in my players and I’m confident they will get a positive result,” Migne said.
Ghana for example summoned just 21 players while neighbors Uganda called up 35 but only 24 went to camp.
The Black Stars are expected to sharpen in Ethiopia before they cross to Kenya for the match.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Red Arrows, Zambia), Patrick Matasi (Tusker), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari)
Defenders
Brian Mandela (Maritzburg, South Africa), David Owino (Zesco, Zambia), Joseph Okumu (AFC Ann Arbor, USA), Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC, Zambia), Erick Ouma (Vasalund, Sweden), David Ochieng (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Abud Omar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia) Benard Ochieng (Vihiga United)
Midfielders
Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Mc Donald Mariga (Real Oviedo, Spain), Clifton Miheso (Buildcon FC, Zambia), Paul Were (FC Kaisar, Kazakhstan), Ismael Gonzales (Las Palmas, Spain), Eric Johanna (IF Brommapojkarna, Sweden), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Anthony Akumu (Zesco, Zambia), Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), George Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards), Samuel Onyango (Gor Mahia)
Forwards
Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund, Sweden), Jesse Were (Zesco, Zambia), Masud Juma (Un-attached), Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare United), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz)
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