Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo was a surprise exclusion as Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat named his provisional squad for a four nation tournament in Malawi later this month.Asked specifically about the omission, the Turkish tactician promised to issue a comprehensive statement on the snub when the team goes to camp.“You can come to the press conference before we go to Malawi and I will explain everything, no problem. I would like everybody hear what I have to say,” he said when asked why he did not call up the red-hot Odhiambo.Last week, former Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee said the Gor Mahia midfielder deserves a call up to the national team as he is the best player in the local league. Hue and cry over Austin Odhiambo Harambee Stars snub“He can play in any league in the world and it is a surprise that he is not in the national team,” he said in an interview.Firat’s squad has a blend of local and internationally-based players with John Avire making a surprise return to the team.Team captain Michael Olunga, Ayub Timbe, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Erick Ouma, Amos Nondi, Richard Odada, and Teddy Akumu, have been retained.##NAJAVA_MECA_7950993##Alphonce Omija makes his debut after having featured for the U17 junior team. Others also making their debut are Shariff Musa, Bonphas Munyasa and Chris Erambo.The four nation tournament will feature Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Kenya. The teams will use the event as preparations for their up-coming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.Full squadGoalkeepers Ian Otieno (Zesco-Zambia), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Bonphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal) Avire, Ayunga named in Harambee Stars’ squad for Malawi tournamentDefendersCollins Sichenje (AIK-Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela-Portugal), Dennis Ng’ang’a (Zanaco Zambia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg-Denmark), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland)MidfiledersAlphonce Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Aalborg-Denmark), Anthony Akumu (Clubless), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), David Sakwa (Bandari), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sebail-Azeberijan), Eric Johanna (UTA-Romania), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia)ForwardsJohn Avire (Sekka), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman), Jonah Ayunga (St. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)
