{"id":7333,"date":"2015-09-04T02:59:17","date_gmt":"2015-09-04T02:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/?p=7333"},"modified":"2015-09-04T03:04:03","modified_gmt":"2015-09-04T03:04:03","slug":"gor-mahia-players-form-bulk-of-national-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gormahia.net\/latest\/news\/gor-mahia-players-form-bulk-of-national-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Gor Mahia players form bulk of national team"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Okoth Gattuso in action against Ethiopia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Kenya national team Harambee stars prepare to play the Chipolopolo (bullets ) of Zambia this weekend, Gor Mahia will once be the club most represented. The squad is being coached by former Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson.<\/p>\n

Among the Kogalo players called up is striker Michael Olunga who is perhaps the most exciting player in the Kenya Premier league. Olunga will likely partner upfront with veteran striker Dennis Oliech who is making a comeback after having been excluded from the squad for the past year or so. That is assuming Oliech is in form and in the right frame of mind. Oliech is currently not attached to any team and his fitness is unknown.<\/p>\n

But Oliech is confident and is confident<\/p>\n

\u201cI normally do what I\u2019m supposed to do; and that is to score goals. It doesn\u2019t matter whether it will be me or my striking partner, or any other player, but the most important thing is to win,\u201d he said to the Nation<\/p>\n

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Olunga, Olich and Wanga training at Nyayo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Also likely to see action is Collins Okoth Gattuso. The relentless Gattuso has been in fine form in the local league and is a favourite of coach. And with MacDonald Mariga having bailed out of the squad, Gattuso will be counted on to patrol the front of the defence along with captain Victor Wanyama.<\/p>\n

Bryan Mandela likely out due to documentation problems. That leaves an opportunity for, Haron Shakava which could see him in action in central defence where he is likely to partner withy David Ochieng “Cheche”.<\/p>\n

Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch will likely start on the bench. Currently there is no local goalkeeper who is even close to challenging Arnold Origi for the goalkeeping position.<\/p>\n

Former Gor Mahia skipper David Owino “Calabar” who is now playing in Zambia for Zesco will be playing against some of his club-mates.<\/p>\n

When it comes to the flag it is another thing and the club is another thing so I will just be playing for the flag,\u201d Owino said to supersport.<\/p>\n

Owino will be counted on not just to defend but also for his forays upfront. He has scored several goals for Harambee stars. He is currently in good form in the Zambian league and scored in his most recent league match, thus giving Zesco a 1-0 win over Konkola Blades.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf an opportunity comes, I will definitely score,\u201d Owino continued.<\/p>\n

It will be a tall order for Stars considering that Zambia have been in camp for 3 weeks. And Kenya’s record against Zambia is poor:\u00a0 6 wins 6 draws and 22 losses. And Zambia inflicted the second\u00a0 the worst defeat on Harambee Stars when they beat Kenya 9-0 in 1978. In action on that day were several Gor Mahia players including Dan Odhiambo who conceded the first 5 goals before being replaced by Mahmoud Abbas. Jerry Imbo a former Gor Mahia midfield stalwart was captain.<\/p>\n

The squad initially called up by coach Williamson was as follows:<\/p>\n

Harambee Stars full squad of professionals<\/strong>:
\nArnold Origi \u2013 Lillestrom (Norway), Brian Mandela \u2013 Maritzburg United (South Africa), David Owino \u2013 Zesco United, (Zambia), David Ochieng \u2013 Al Tawoon (Saudi Arabia), Lawrence Olum \u2013 Malaysia, Macdonald Mariga \u2013 FC Parma (Italy), Paul Were \u2013 Amazulu (South Africa), Ayub Timbe \u2013 SK Lierse (Belgium), Clifton Miheso \u2013 VPS FC (Finland), Anthony Akumu \u2013 Al Khartoum (Sudan), Victor Wanyama \u2013 Southampton FC (England), Johanna Omollo \u2013 Royal Antwerp FC (Belgium), Dennis Oliech \u2013 Al Nasser (Saudi Arabia), Jacob Kelli \u2013 Nkana Red Devils (Zambia) and Allan Wanga \u2013 Azam FC (Tanzania).<\/p>\n

Full list of local-based players<\/strong>:\u00a0Goalkeepers<\/strong>:-\u00a0Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia),\u00a0Wycliffe Kasaya (Nakumatt) and\u00a0Ian Otieno (Posta Rangers).\u00a0Defenders<\/strong>:-,\u00a0Harun Shakava (Gor Mahia),\u00a0Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards),\u00a0Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United),\u00a0Midfielders<\/strong>:-,\u00a0Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth (Gor Mahia),\u00a0Bernard Mang\u2019oli (AFC Leopards),\u00a0Sammy Meja (Thika United),\u00a0Humphrey Mieno (Tusker),\u00a0Noah Wafula (Tusker),\u00a0Johanna Otieno (Mathare United),\u00a0Danson Kago (Thika United\u00a0(Tusker),\u00a0Strikers<\/strong>:-\u00a0Jesse Were (Tusker) and\u00a0Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia).<\/p>\n

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