AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi has sparked debate over the latest national team call-ups, claiming that players from the club are being unfairly overlooked due to alleged bias from the Harambee Stars technical bench.
Mulindi’s sentiments come in the wake of the squad announcement by Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, who named a 23-man team set to represent Kenya in the upcoming March FIFA Series.
Notably, the squad features only seven players from the local SportPesa League, with the bulk of the team composed of foreign-based players.
Among the local contingent, SportPesa League leaders Gor Mahia contributed four players:goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, defenders Frank Odhiambo and Sylvester Owino, and midfielder Alpha Onyango.
Defending Champions Kenya Police FC also had representation through full-backs Abud Omar and Daniel Sakari, while Tusker FC’s midfielder Chris Erambo completed the list of locally based inclusions.
AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi alleges bias in Harambee Stars selection
However, AFC Leopards, despite their strong league form this season, failed to produce a single player in the squad,an omission that has clearly not gone down well with the club’s leadership.
“These people hate AFC Leopards. They do not like AFC Leopards. I do not have much to say, but I know they do not like us,” Mulindi said, expressing his frustration.
He further sought to reassure players at the club, urging them not to be discouraged by the snub.
“But we have told our players not to worry because it is not a must for them to play for Harambee Stars,” he continued. “Let them focus on playing football because this is their life; it is their career. We will find ways to get scouts to come and watch them.”
Mulindi insisted that AFC Leopards’ current standing in the league should have warranted at least some recognition at the national level.
“I know, and I say it from my heart, that they hate AFC Leopards. We do not have a problem, but the bias is there. We are second on the league table and we do not have even a single player in the national team,” he added.
Harambee Stars are scheduled to report to residential camp on March 22 before departing for Kigali,Rwanda two days later for the four-nation tournament.
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Harambee Stars FIFA Series Fixtures
- Kenya vs Estonia – March 27, 6 PM (Amahoro Stadium)
- Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2 – March 30, 9 PM (Amahoro Stadium)
- Loser Match 1 vs Loser Match 2 – March 30, 6 PM (Amahoro Stadium)
Harambee Stars Squad
- Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi-Gor Mahia, Brian Bwire- Polokwane City, Ian Otieno-Richards Bay
- Defenders: Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Zak Vyner (Wrexham), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police)
- Midfielders: Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Richard Odada (UTA Arad), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Manzur Suleiman (Stade de Reims)
- Attackers: Austine Odhiambo (Nejmeh), William Lenkupae (Unattached), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Mohammed Bajaber (Simba FC), Zech Obiero (Tranmere Rovers), Clarke Oduor (Grimsby Town), Michael Olunga (Al Arabi), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinäjoki)
The omission of AFC Leopards players is likely to remain a talking point as the national team prepares for the international assignment, with pressure mounting on the technical bench to justify their selection choices.