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Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has expressed his excitement at the large number of young players he is able to call upon as he builds a strong squad with eyes on AFCON 2027.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is thrilled by the exciting talents at his disposal which he feels bodes well with Kenya’s desire to build a team that can challenge for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Firat gave first call-ups to a number of youngsters such as Alphonce Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), David Sakwa (Bandari) and Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia) for the upcoming Four Nations Tournament.
The Turkish tactician believes it is the only way to give experience to the youngsters since Kenya does not have a proper youth structure that they can learn from before they make it to the national team.
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18:00 - 19.03.2024
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“I am very happy about them, this is what I mean in Kenya,” said Firat.
“Chris will be a very good box-to-box player, Sakwa can play and shoot with both legs. They are very impressive players and I am sure they can be the future of the Kenya national team.
“I just wish they had started playing for the U16, U18, and U20 so that they would come here with a lot of experience and not start internationally at zero.
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15:01 - 18.03.2024
FOOTBALL Bandari's David Sakwa elated by maiden Harambee Stars call-up just weeks after signing from Div One outfit
Bandari forward David Sakwa was called up to the Harambee Stars squad just a few weeks after making his top flight debut and he is looking forward to a successful outing.
“I will have an opportunity to try out new players. Maybe, we now don’t play with a classic No10 and maybe now box-to-box and try somebody else on the wings.”
Firat then went into details on what St Mirren striker Jonah Ayunga, also earning his maiden call-up, will add to his squad given how his forwards have struggled to score goals during his time in charge.
“With Jonah, I have a new option at centre forward. I followed him when he went to Scotland and I wanted to call him but he suffered an injury with his ACL,” added Firat.
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09:09 - 15.03.2024
FOOTBALL Tusker's Erambo unsurprised by inclusion in Harambee Stars squad for Four Nations Tournament
The Tusker FC midfielder is unfazed by his national team call-up and aims for a consistent role with the Harambee Stars.
“I think he is a classic centre forward, he is physically very strong. I see in training how when it comes to should-to-shoulder, our defenders have problems against him, always looking to finish and I think he will fit well in our team also from the point of character.
“I want them to show the others who always play that in the future, it will not be so easy.”
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