Abondo back in Stars squad as Gor Mahia pursue Sserunkuma

Gor Mahia’s attacking midfielder Ali Hassan Abondo has been named to the Harambee Stars squad that will play Ethiopia this Sunday in the opening match of the CHAN qualifiers. Abondo had been called to the team that traveled to Rwanda for the Peace cup but did not travel to the team to Congo.

Defender Haron Shakava is down with malaria and as such has not been included in the squad. Collins Okoth “Gattuso”, Michael Olunga, and Boniface Oluoch are all sure to start.

For Oluoch, it is a chance to prove his critics wrong with an improved performance. In midfield, Gattuso has no peers on this team. He is clearly the most capable defensive midfielder. Olunga had a good match against South Sudan in the Peace cup where he scored. Earlier on he scored a hat-trick against Botswana in the Olympic qualifiers. There have been plenty of expectations with many observers predicting he would be Kenya’s next great striker. None other than Mohamed Kheri, one of the best coaches Kenya has ever produced called Olunga the next Mike Okoth. This is Olunga’s chance to prove that he measures up to those expectations.

Since its inception, Kenya has never qualified for CHAN. But with Bobby Williamson in charge, there is cause for optimism.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Ian Otieno (Posta Rangers), Boniface Baraza (Posta Rangers).

Defenders: Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards), Brian Birgen (Ulinzi Stars), Sammy Meja (Thika Meja), David Gateri (Bandari), Aboud Omar (Unattached), Jackson Saleh (AFC Leopards), Musa Mohamed (Gor Mahia).

Midfielders: Ali Abondo (Gor Mahia), Kevin Kimani (Tusker), Collins Okoth (Gor Mahia), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker), Anthony Ndolo (Sofapaka), Bernard Mang’oli, Timonah Wanyonyi (AFC Leopards).

Strikers: Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Jesse Were (Tusker), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt), Jacob Keli, Noah Wafula, (AFC Leopards) and Eric Johanna (Mathare United).

Gor Mahia still pursuing Sserunkuma

There has been silence on the transfer scene. So far the only player Gor Mahia signed is Enock Agwanda. And with the signing of Agwanda, many fans predicted that the club would no longer pursue Sserunkuma.

However club official Ronald Ngala says that the club is still actively pursuing the burly Ugandan striker who was largely responsible for Gor Mahia lifting the title in 2013 and 2014.

“The last time we spoke to him, he showed willingness to join us. The only problem that can hinder our plans is KPL foreign player’s clause on the number of non-Kenyans eligible to be signed. We want to get the official position from the KPL Governing council that held its meeting recently where the issue was one of the major subject “said Ngala to supersport.com

Reports from several weeks ago had noted that some of the club’s foreign legion would be released.

Ngala also denied a story that was posted on the club site that Humphrey Mieno was joining Gor Mahia. He further confirmed that Kevin Oluoch has joined Muhoroni Youth while Jerry Santos was likely to leave.

‘As far as we are concerned, the only player I can confirm having signed for us is Enock Agwanda and the only player we have lost is defender Kevin Oluoch who has joined Muhoroni Youth. Regarding Jerry Santos, he has a pending six month contract. Possibly, he is keeping fit with Posta Rangers but he is still our bonafide player, “said Ngala.