Harambee Stars striker Alfred Scriven says he was a bit “bothered” by the lack of game time in the national team, despite getting a host of call-ups in 2023.Scriven, who got his maiden Harambee Stars call-up in March last year, had to wait for over a year to finally get some minutes under his belt; when he came on as a late substitute in a 4-1 shellacking to Cameroon last month.Scottish-based Jonah Ayunga on how his family in Kisii reacted to maiden Harambee Stars goalHis only start came in a dead-rubber AFCON Qualifiers contest against Namibia, where he led the line in a much-changed lineup that failed to impress, settling for a lackluster barren draw.Speaking to Mozzart Sport on his time with the national team, Scriven, born of a Kenyan mother (Pamela) and English dad (Brian), said he didn’t expect to take that long before getting to play for his country.“Getting that surprise call-up in March last year was of course a big honor and opportunity because it’s something I had been working on,” the 26-year-old who lived in Nairobi for 17 years before leaving to study in Norway said. “At that time I was doing well with my team – IL Hodd – and maybe that’s why I got the invitation.”That call-up, which saw Kenya play a friendly match against Iran, however, had him stay on the bench, as did three others (three friendlies and two World Cup Qualifiers) which in hindsight, tested his resolve.##NAJAVA_MECA_8519483##“It bothered me,” Scriven said. “But at the end of the day as a professional, you have to trust the coach despite feeling a bit disappointed. I mean, that’s how football is; someone is always going to be on the bench but when the time comes when I get to play regularly, I’ll give my best.”Having made significant leaps in game-time this year, Scriven believes his form is only going to improve, now that he has already adapted to a new life at Norwegian top-tier side Bryne.“I think I didn’t get many call-ups this year because I had a slow start in my new team and I was still getting used to it,” Scriven said of the first phase of 2024, which saw him move to a “different club not big in the city life but in a farming area.”Harambee Stars trialist joins Norwegian second-tier sideHe continued, “It’s an exciting team with good fans. We got promoted to the first division and I think it will be exciting for us to play against big teams next year.”On his ceiling with the national team, Scriven said: “I don’t think so much about achievements but qualifying for major tournaments like AFCON and the World Cup is something everyone wants to accomplish.”And speaking about the team’s failure to qualify for AFCON 2025, he said: “At the end of the day, players are also fans, and it is always tough when you’re so close to something and don’t get it. We work hard together for such moments.”Akumu on how he coped with disappointment of Harambee Stars 2019 AFCON snub
