Kakamega Homeboyz defender Brian Eshihanda has vowed to work on his fitness as he hopes to console himself with a Harambee Stars squad selection that will represent the country in the 2024 African Nations Championship.The defender missed out on the Harambee Stars squad for the Mapinduzi Cup that is set to commence on Saturday 4 January.James Mazembe on two qualities needed to play for ShabanaEshihanda had hopes of getting his second national team call-up when it emerged that Kenya had been invited to grace the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar.However, he was not considered by interim head coach Francis Kimanzi, who named the 38-man provisional squad on Christmas Day much to his disappointment.##NAJAVA_MECA_8609865##Eshihanda got his maiden call-up in November last year when the team prepared for the first leg of a CHAN qualifier away to South Sudan.He debuted in the same game, coming in the first half as a substitute for injured and experienced defender Musa Mohamed.How former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno is spreading gospel through footballEshihanda, who was the highest-scoring defender in the past season, told Mozzart Sport that he had put the Mapinduzi Cup heartbreak behind him as he is determined to make it to the CHAN squad.”I will use the January league matches to reclaim my place in the national team. I am ready to work hard and serve the nation in the CHAN tournament and even in bigger assignments,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8609893##The hard-tackling defender attributed his omission to a recurring hamstring injury he suffered in November that limited his league appearances.Eshihanda aggravated his injury against South Sudan and would miss more than four league matches. The worrying club form, he says, also played a part.Francis Kimanzi appoints his Harambee Stars captain for Mapinduzi Cup”The injury kept me out for some time. It was close to impossible for me to be selected considering that I had not played many matches before the squad was named,” he stated.Regarding the poor run the club has been grappling with this season, the former GDC defender expressed optimism in coach Francis Baraza turning their fortunes around and finishing in the top five bracket.##NAJAVA_MECA_8609888##”If we build on the positives we have realised under Baraza, we stand a chance of being in the top five,” he added.
