Olunga, Oluoch, Gattuso lead Kenya against Congo
Michael Olunga will likely lead the Kenya national team attack for the first time ever in a competitive game as Kenya take on Congo-Brazzaville in the opening match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Olunga has played for the national team at various levels such as U20 and U23. He has played for the senior national team in friendly matches. This match against Congo is his first opportunity to be the focal point of the attack. Of course there are other attackers in the squad such as Allan Wanga, Noah Wafula and Jesse Were. But based on current form Olunga should be the man to lead Kenya’s attack especially in the absence of Dennis Oliech. Coach Williamson has taken a huge gamble in leaving Oliech out of the squad. He will be hoping that Olunga can vindicate his choice.
Other Gor Mahia players who could play are goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch and midfielder Collins Okoth “Gattuso”. The duo are experienced campaigners having played for the national team as far back as 2012. With this match being played away from home, Williamson might deploy a defensive formation in which case the tenacity of Gattuso will be crucial. If experience is the determining factor then Boniface Oluoch will be the man between the posts for Kenya. Ian Otieno, while talented, is highly untested.
For the Gor Mahia trio, it will be an opportunity to earn a measure of revenge after they were eliminated by AC Leopards of Congo-Brazza. But Congo-Brazza are 76 places above Kenya in the Fifa world rankings and will, obviously, start as favourites, more so, since they are playing at home.
In form midfielder Ali Abondo was surprisingly left out of the squad. Other shock exclusions were Peter Opiyo, Clifford Miheso who are based in Finland as well as Oliech and Mariga. While keeper Arnold Origi was left behind because the incompetents at FKF did not send paperwork to his club on time.
Harambee Stars Squad
Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Ian Otieno (Posta Rangers)
Defenders: David Ochieng (Al-Tawoun, Saudi Arabia), Aboud Omar (Un-attached), Jackson Saleh (AFC Leopards), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards).
Midfielders: Francis Kahata (FK Tirana, Albania), Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Ayub Timbe (KRC Genk, Belgium), Paul Were (Unattached), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker), Kevin Kimani (Tusker), Stephen Wakhanya (Chemelil Sugar), Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth (Gor Mahia), Anthony Akumu (Al Khartoum, Sudan).
Strikers: Allan Wanga (Unattached), Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Noah Wafula (AFC Leopards), Jesse Were (Tusker).
I can only wish the team all the best as I believe they can come out with something like a draw if not a win.
I wish Harambee Stars all the best.
I can propose/recommend the starting lineup to be as under:
Goalkeeper: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia)
Defenders: David Ochieng (Al-Tawoun, Saudi Arabia), Aboud Omar (Un-attached), Jackson Saleh (AFC Leopards), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia)
Midfielders: Francis Kahata (FK Tirana, Albania), Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Ayub Timbe (KRC Genk, Belgium)
Strikers: Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Noah Wafula (AFC Leopards), Jesse Were (Tusker).
For a defensive game Collins Gattuso Okoth is much more solid as a midfield anchor
All the best is ma wish to the team.wanyama nd olunga watasumbua. bonface oluoch btwn the stcks then shakava nd mohamed defence. allan wanga nd jesse. i thn we av wn thz game. harambee thz tym dnt let us dwn. we ctll love kenya fc.harambee imean.
admin…please enlighten me….how is mariga a shock exclusion?
what is a shock is you saying that!!
why is kogalo not interested in Aboud Omar who is un attached and is a solid defensive player?
m less concerned with harambee stars. they are going to be walloped by Congolese no matter what. no preparation, no organisation,nothing. it’s total failure by the so called football thieves. just wait for the result. my opinion
@Jimmy omimo..hayo ni mapepo.prais the team bro.wajua ata kadem wako ni mbaya,bado utasema tu mazuri ju yake. .2tafunga. .just av hope bro..
JE,kwani ths site hakuna dem mwnye amependa kogalo? i thnk ladies wanaweza kuwa na idea poa kuliko blgaz wngn
I apologise to u guys for my past comments.some of u are very very intelligent and have knowlegde on how to correct someone,i salute u.@mwakio u shld always learn how to expose ur xcter in public.i agree abondo is a top player but olunga is a world class to b,thank u all.
@compressor thanks for the apology. I hope Teargas Will read it. It doesn’t make less of a man when you apologise. On the other hand there is nothing like a slip of the tongue. What somebody says on the spur of the moment or when he is angry should not be wished away. Why? That is what he believes in.So Abondo will never impress you even if he wins the golden boot or leads Gor to the third title. That is fine. If you set out to impress everyone you will never get far. Abondo can’t be a darling to all of us. Thanks for the apology, if it is genuine. Mwakio, OT, Eric…… Lets pray for our nemesis_the Leopard. It is imploding and the future doesn’t look good. Granted some of their fans like Ingo celebrated when our days were dark like a funeral pall.However, without a strong efusi this league loses its lustre. Apparently Loga, Kasaya, Keli, Sale, Imbalambala and many others have all pressed the exit button.Bloggers,let us spare a moment and pray for efusi.
Is Jackson Saleh joining Gor Mahia?
@Baba Travis, you have made my weekend. We are going to pray to Ingwe so that they can come out of their current turmoil. We mean well to them and pray that in the name of Jesus Christ they will come out stronger and more united Amen.
@Compressor, kindly apologize to Abondo not us. what u said to this young star is really bad. The guy is very instrumental and i don’t understand the reason behind your attack!!