<
>

Kenya without Gor Mahia players for Intercontinental Cup

Gor Mahia players shakes hands with USM Alger players BackPagePix

Kenya will be without any players from domestic giants Gor Mahia when they compete in the 2018 Hero Intercontinental Cup in Mumbai, India next month.

The Harambee Stars will open their campaign against New Zealand on June 2 before facing hosts India two days later.

They will face Chinese Taipei on June 8, and the top two teams will face off in the final on June 10.

There are no Gor Mahia players in the squad after the club's management opted to withdraw all their players.

"Our technical team requested to have all the players available for league games and the SportPesa Super Cup," Gor's Chief Executive Lodvick Aduda told KweséESPN.

"We are also in the Confederation Cup and we must prepare."

In the absence of Victor Wanyama, who was denied the chance to join his international teammates by club side Tottenham Hotspur, Clifton Miheso will likely play a key role in the heart of the midfield.

The Buildcon FC player is one of the standout foreign-based players in the squad, along with forward John Mark Makwatta.

"I have decided to make some changes to the squad that played two friendly games against Swaziland and Equatorial Guinea last week," Harambee Stars coach Sebastien Migne told KweséESPN.

"We need to be much stronger and have more players involved as we prepare for the upcoming 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier."

Migne has also included the Tusker FC pair Bryne Omondi and Timothy Otieno, Vihiga United's Bernard Ochieng, Kariobangi Sharks' Patilla Omoto and Thika United's Dennis Odhiambo.

Kenya were defeated 1-0 by Swaziland last week before stopping Equatorial Guinea by the same scoreline in a second international friendly.

The East Africans will face Ghana in their next AFCON qualifier on September 3 in Nairobi, having lost their opening match 2-1 away in Sierra Leone.

The Black Stars humbled Ethiopia 5-0 in their Group F opener.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), Bryne Omondi (Tusker)

Defenders: Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Musa Mohammed (Un-attached), Michael Kibwage (AFC Leopards), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Dennis Odhiambo (Thika United), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United), Bolton Omwenga (Kariobangi Sharks), Erick Ouma (KF Tirana)

Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (KF Tirana), Vincent Wasambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Patilla Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), Chrispin Oduor (Mathare United), Clifton Miheso (Buildcon FC), Duncan Otieno (AFC Leopards)

Attackers: Ovella Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks), Timothy Otieno (Tusker FC), John Makwatta (Buildcon FC), Pistone Mutamba (Wazito FC)