Nairobi News

SportsWhat's Hot

Okumbi mulls over absence of key players for Stars friendlies


Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi is likely to miss the services of Ayub Timbe and Eric Ouma for the forthcoming friendly matches against Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Okumbi is yet to name his foreign based players for the two matches slated for Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County on Thursday and Sunday respectively.

However, Nairobi News has it on authority that the two youngsters will not be available owing to personal issues.

“I may not make it for the two matches. I have issues to clear in Belgium and here (in China) my transfer happened when the league was about to start. It has taken more time for me to process my papers. I need time during this break to put things in order,” Timbe told Nairobi News.

Last month Timbe completed a transfer to the Chinese second division side Beijing Renhe from Belgium’s Lierse.

KEY PLAYERS

Likewise, Ouma, who only recently joined Georgian top flight club Kolkheti, is highly doubtful to show up for national duty as he works on his residential papers in Europe.

The good news for Okumbi is the arrival of John Mark Makwata and Aboud Omar in readiness for the two matches.

Makwatta is on the verge of joining Slovenia second tier club Nitra FC while Omar is based in Bulgaria at top flight club Slavia Sofia.

Others key players expected in Nairobi for the assignments are Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama, Zesco United trio Jesse Were, David Owino and Anthony Akumu, as well as China-based striker Micheal Olunga.

Harambee Stars will use the friendly matches to prepare for the 2018 Africa Nations Championship, and the 2019 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.