Stars’ Okumbi replaces Gor absentees with seven 

Harambee Stars Head Coach Stanley Okumbi has called up seven players to camp, replacing the five Gor Mahia members axed on Monday following club-national team conflict of interest.

Ulinzi Stars duo James Saruni and Brian Birgen, AFC Leopards’ Ian Otieno, Thika United’s Shami Mwinyi and Chemelil Sugar’s Victor Majid are now part of Okumbi’s team to face Malawi on April 18, in an international friendly at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Also called up are Victor Ogedo of Nzoia Sugar and Zeka Wakoli of National Super League (NSL) side GFE 105 FC.

Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch, Harun Shakava, Musa Mohammed, Ken Muguna and Ernest  Wendo opted out to concentrate with the club’s activities, according to FKF.

Saruni and Otieno are set to cover Oluoch’s gap in the goalkeepers department, with Posta Rangers custodian Patrick Matasi already in camp.

Leopards’ Paul Kiongera and Omar Bongi of Ulinzi who had initially been included in the team are also out, the former injured while the latter has been sent for further military studies.

Tusker’s Noah ‘Fuso’ Wafula has also been released to condole with his family following the demise of his son, before resuming training later in the week.

Meanwhile, Malawi is expected to jet in on Sunday for the friendly, which is part of Harambee’s preparations for the 2018 African Championship.