Migné AFCON Stars Axe Falls On Wanga, Isuza, Bwire; Miheso, Avire In

30th May 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

National senior men football team head coach tweaks his squad that will leave for France on Friday for a three-week training camp to 27

Harambee Stars head coach Sebastian Migne at the AFCON squad unveiling on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. PHOTO/AnthonyMwaki/SPN

SUMMARY

The Frenchman who led the national senior men's team to the AFCON finals after 15 years, brought on Clifton Miheso and youthful forward, John Avire with veteran forward, Allan Wanga, goalkeeper Brian Bwire and midfielder Whyvonne Isuza dropped from the initial 30-man squad announced earlier this month
SportPesa Shield Cup holders Kariobangi Sharks FC custodian, Bwire, sparked debate when he was named in the initial squad three weeks ago, with many questioning Migné's decision to include two goal keepers from the same side as teammate John Oyemba retained his place in the France-bound team
Kenya will play her AFCON Group C matches at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. The first match will see Stars face Algeria on June 23. Tanzania will be up next on June 27, before Stars wind up their group stage matches against Senegal on July 1, 2019

NAIROBI, Kenya- Harambee Stars head coach, Sébastien Migné, named a provisional team of 27 that will travel to France on Friday for a three-week 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) training camp.

The Frenchman who led the national senior men's team to the AFCON finals after 15 years, brought on Clifton Miheso and youthful forward, John Avire with veteran forward, Allan Wanga, goalkeeper Brian Bwire and midfielder Whyvonne Isuza dropped from the initial 30-man squad announced earlier this month.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Miheso and Avire, who has notched seven goals in the just-concluded SportPesa Premier League (SPL) season for Sofapaka FC who finished third were added to the team 'having impressed in training.'

The exit of Wanga, who has notched 22 goals for Stars, will come as another disappointing blow having seen his celebrations as the SPL Golden Boot winner put on ice when the Kenyan Premier League announced the fixture between Ulinzi Stars FC and relegated Mt. Kenya United FC would be rescheduled for Sunday.

Ulinzi top scorer, Enosh Ochieng' is only a goal shy of Wanga's leading SPL tally of 18 and following the decision on the game that was controversially cancelled at Afraha Stadium on Wednesday, the door for the soldier to overhaul the Kakamega Homeboyz FC captain in the race for the Golden Boot was opened.

SportPesa Shield Cup holders Kariobangi Sharks FC custodian, Bwire, sparked debate when he was named in the initial squad three weeks ago, with many questioning Migné's decision to include two goal keepers from the same side as teammate John Oyemba retained his place in the France-bound team.

Better finish

AFC Leopards SC star, Isuza, failed to impress in the SPL since his inclusion to the Stars line-up, failing to inspire the 12-time domestic champions to muster a better finish than the 10th they closed in pending the outcome of the Ulinzi deferred game. Victory for the soldiers will knock them out of the top 10.

Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder, Victor Wanyama, who is preparing for Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against English Premier League rivals, Liverpool FC will lead the side as skipper alongside other foreign-based regulars; striker Michael Olunga, wingback Eric Johanna, winger Ayub Timbe, defender David Owino and goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.

"The team jets out to Paris on Friday, May 31, 2019, and has been booked at the French Rugby Federation, Marcoussis Cedex, where they will a 19-day residential training.

"FKF has also lined up two friendly matches, one against Madagascar on June 7, in Paris and the Democratic Republic of Congo a week later, on June 15, 2019, in Madrid, Spain.

"The team will then jet out to Cairo, Egypt on June 19, 2019, in time for the Africa Cup of Nations," FKF posted on their website on Thursday.

Kenya will play her AFCON Group C matches at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. The first match will see Stars face Algeria on June 23. Tanzania will be up next on June 27, before Stars wind up their group stage matches against Senegal on July 1, 2019.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faruk Shikalo

Defenders

Abud Omar, Joash Onyango, Joseph Okumu, Musa Mohammed, David Owino, Bernard Ochieng, Brian Mandela, Philemon Otieno, Eric Ouma

Midfielders

Victor Wanyama, Anthony Akumu, Ismael Gonzalez, Ayub Timbe, Francis Kahata, Ovella Ochieng, Dennis Odhiambo, Eric Johanna, Paul Were, Cliffton Miheso, Johanna Omollo

Forwards

John Avire, Masud Juma, Christopher Mbamba, Michael Olunga