Harambee Stars foreign based internationals Kenneth Muguna, Richard Odada and Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma have expressed their delight ahead of the team’s return to action on March 28 against Iran in what will be their first assignment since November 2021.In February 2022, world football governing body FIFA had imposed an indefinite suspension on the country following government interference on Football Kenya Federation (FKF), leading to the country being disqualified from taking part in international events including the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.In November 2022, the ban was lifted paving way for the country to return to normalcy.The Captain is here 💪It’s now all systems go.#WeAreBack pic.twitter.com/tKLg9mzMZ5— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 21, 2023 Ahead of the high-profile clash against Iran, Marcelo, who plies his trade at Swedish top tier outfit AIK, was grateful to get back on the international scene after holding initial fears that it would take a long time to get back.“It is a great feeling to be back after missing out on action for over a year because of something that affected us as a country. I had many questions and I was waiting to see what was going to happen. I was thinking maybe it would take many years to get back but I was very hopeful that it would be back soon.##NAJAVA_MECA_7117953##So, to be back is something that makes us proud because we are representing the country. We are starting from where we left and it is something that we have to look forward to especially in the coming matches because it is an opportunity to make the country great again,” the marauding left back said.Midfield maestro Muguna, who plays for Tanzanian outfit Azam, revealed how the team are relishing the opportunity to form the base for improved performances in the future.“It was tough because you know representing the national team is the highest level of football. We were patient and we knew that after everything we would be back. Everyone is friendly with each other. The young players and the experienced ones are all helping each other to ensure that we form a unit that can perform,” he said.Time for the country 🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/se3ttuzDk7— Kenneth Muguna Mugambi (@KennethMuguna10) March 15, 2023 On his part, Odada, who plays in the Major League Soccer for Philadelphia Union, was finally delighted to end his international wait for football having made his international debut in September 2021 in a World Cup qualifier match against Uganda – the second last game before the FIFA suspension.“It feels good because we have waited for over a year. When we are at our respective clubs, other players are going for international duty but we are not going. We have just been waiting for this kind of opportunity. We cannot compare the mood right now compared to the past because we feel connected and everyone is looking forward for this,” the defensive midfielder said.Transfer Ban Woes: Gor Mahia coach skeptical about liftingThe Harambee Stars will face Iran on 28 March in Tehran.
