Kenya squad for Egypt clash in 2021 AFCON qualifiers

Kenya are competing in Group G of the qualifiers alongside Egypt, Togo and Comoros

AFC Leopards John Makwatta has been recalled to the national team Harambee Stars by head coach Francis Kimanzi for the upcoming Group G 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Makwata, who has had an instant impact in the den scoring five goals in his last outing since joining them in the off season last won his cap in June 2018 during the four-nations Hero International Cup in India. Kimanzi has retained majority of the players from the Afcon finals squad led by Tottenham Hotspurs midfielder Victor Wanyama.

Harambee Stars begin their qualifying campaign on November 14 against Mohammed Salah-led Egypt in Cairo before taking on Togo at Kasarani Stadium on November 19.

The former Ulinzi Stars man has been working hard and fighting for a return with his wish finally granted by Kimanzi yesterday. Makwata faces stiff competition for a starting place from Kashiwa Reysol talisman Michael Olunga and Zesco United’s Jesse Were.

Sofapaka striker John Avire has also made a return to the team alongside Zesco United midfielder Teddy Akumu who was overlooked for the tournament by former Stars coach Sebastian Migne.

Kenya’s full squad:

Goalkeepers:  Patrick Matasi (St. George SC, Ethiopia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya), Ian Otieno (Red Arrows, Zambia)

Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Harun Shakava (Nkana, Zambia), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Erick Ouma (Vasalunds IF, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya)

Midfielders:Teddy Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs, England), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Cliff Nyakeya (FC Masr, Egypt), Erick Johanna Omondi (IF Brommapojkarma, Sweden), Whyvone Isuza (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Jesse Were (Zesco United, Zambia), John Avire (Sofapaka, Kenya), John Mark Makwatta (AFC Leopards, Kenya).

“The national team, Harambee Stars is on the verge of being evicted from their hotel in Egypt for lack of payment. Since Friday, Ministry officials have been promising to settle the payment but regrettably, this has not happened,” read a statement by the federation’s acting chief executive officer Barry Otieno.