By Brian Magiri
Engin Firat, the Harambee Stars national team head coach, has announced his final squad for the upcoming doubleheader against Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.
The list consists of 24 players selected from the initial 28-man provisional squad named earlier.
The team will be led by captain Michael Olunga who missed the first two qualification fixtures against Zimbabwe and Namibia.
He will be joined in the team by French-based defender Joseph Okumu who plays for Ligue 1 outfit Reims as well as energetic leftback Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma who is in books of Polish side Rakow.
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Other foreign-based players include Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Adam Wilson, Johnstone Omurwa, In Otieno and Alfred Scriven who will also be part of the squad after missing previous matches.
Local talents include Patrick Matasi of Kenya Police and the Gor Mahia quartet of Alphonce Omija, Rooney Onyango, Geoffrey Ochieng and Sylvester Owino.
Bryne Omondi of Bandari has also made the cut while Tusker FC midfielder will complete the list of local-based players.
Four local players were dropped from the final list including Tusker FC’s David Odoyo, who received his first call-up to the national team.
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Boniface Muchiri of Ulinzi Stars and AFC Leopards forward Sydney Lokale also did not make the final squad while Austin Odhiambo picked up an injury during a training session and has therefore been sidelined.
The Harambee Stars are set to take on the Indomitable Lions in the first leg at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Omnisports Stadium in Yaoundé on Friday, October 11, before returning to Uganda for the second leg at the Mandela National Stadium on Monday, October 14.
The second leg will be played behind closed doors due to security reasons, as revealed by Engin Firat.1
Harambee Stars Final Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno, Patrick Matasi, Bryne Omondi
Defenders
Alphonce Omija, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Sylvester Owino, Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje, Joseph Okumu, Geoffrey Ochieng, Eric Ouma
Midfielders
Chrispine Erambo, Richard Odada, John Ochieng, Timothy Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Duke Abuya, Rooney Onyango
Forwards
John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Adam Wilson, Alfred Scrive