Kakamega Homeboyz centre back Brian Eshihanda is hoping to establish himself as a key Harambee Stars player, like his former teammate and roommate Sylvester Owino, following his inclusion in the national team. Eshihanda deservedly earned his maiden call up to Stars as he was named in the team that is set to face South Sudan on Sunday, in a 2025 CHAN qualifier in Juba. The hard-tackling defender told Mozzart Sport that he intends to stick in the national team, secure playing time, and win matches just the way his long-term friend and former central defence pair has been doing.Both Owino and Eshihanda were the preferred central defence pairing at Homeboyz for the better part of the 2021-2022 seaon before the former joined Gor Mahia. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8445241##Since making his national team debut in September against Zimbabwe, Owino has proved himself and earned playing time in crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His performances in the national team, and quick rise have been pushing Eshihanda to keep on knocking the national team door. “I have always wanted to achieve what Owino has, especially with the national team,within a short period. He motivates me to work hard and to believe in my abilities,” said Eshihanda. From a lethal forward to a no-nonsense centre-back- Eshihanda opens up on his transitionThere were expectations that Eshihanda would get his call up in June owing to his displays and goal-scoring prowess in the closing stages of the past season. The former GDC Nakuru man found the back of the net six times last season and doubled up as the assistant captain at Homeboyz. Enosh Ochieng explains reason behind his barren run at UlinziHis snub ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in June raised questions especially when coach Firat reserved slots for players, who barely featured for their clubs. Eshihanda, in reaction to his omission from the national team in the past, said he was patient enough and opted to focus on his improving rather than paying attention to the snubs. “I kept on proving myself rather than sulking or complaining. I worked twice as hard until my turn came, ” he added.
