Manzur Suleiman Okwaro is the sole left-footed central defender in the Harambee Stars provisional squad preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against; The Gambia and Gabon. The young centre-back was one of the players, who earned a late call-up to the team, along with Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Sebastian Wekesa, as coach Benni McCarthy sought to have variety and quorum in the early days of the camp. Okwaro was going about business at the KCB FC camp, earlier in the week, when his teammates and members of the technical bench informed him of McCarthy’s decision to reserve a slot for him. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8773345##He consequently, joined the rest of the players in kicking off preparations for the two matches, scheduled for 20th and 23rd March respectively, on Wednesday at Ulinzi Sports Complex. With the left side of the central defence still a source of concern, the youngster hopes to impress McCarthy and provide a permanent solution to the trial-and-error method employed by past Stars coaches, in their search for Joseph Okumu’s partner. Okumu, who excels on both sides of central defence has a penchant for the right.Previously, Stars coaches have paired the Reims man like; Johnstone Omurwa, Sylvester Owino, and David Ochieng among others. Why Gor Mahia and Tusker players snubbed McCarthy’s first Harambee Stars training sessionOkwaro, who is among the outstanding U20 players to have earned promotion to the senior team, walked into camp seeking to convince McCarthy that he was good enough to man the left side of the central defence.”I have noted that coaches keep on trying different players on the left side of the defence. I hope to come in and offer the solution and play along with Okumu, whom I consider a role model. I have to work hard and be confident in my abilities, if I am to make it,” opened up Okwaro. While the former Rainbow FC man was not expecting the call-up, he believes that his hard work, since making his Football Kenya Federation Premier League debut last month, might have just done enough. “I never lost hope”: Opondo overcomes the odds to land dream Harambee Stars call-upOkwaro, who unsuccessfully tried out with Nantes B in 2023 and Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna last year, joined the Bankers last month after several months of being unattached. “Joining KCB is one of the best decisions I have made in my career. Honestly, I would not be in the national team camp if I was still unattached. I am glad to see the hard work put in at club level bearing fruit, ” he added. Besides preparing for what will be his first appearance for Stars, Okwaro will hope to retain his slot for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals slated to run between 26 April to May 16 in Ivory Coast.
