Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
Charles Nyende and Odindo Ayieko
31 August 2010
Nairobi — AJ Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech led a horde of foreign-based stars into the Harambee Stars camp on Tuesday.
He was joined by Patrick Osiako (Mjalby, Sweden), Arnold Origi (FK Moss, Norway), Ibrahim Shikanda (Azam, Tanzania), Robert Mambo (Umea, FC-Sweden) and Victor Mugabe of Germinia Beerschot of Belgium. Inter Milan midfielder Macdonald Mariga will link up with the squad Wednesday morning.
"We are now house full. Mariga will be with the rest of the squad on Wednesday morning and we plan to leave for Guinea Bissau on Thursday," said team manager Edward Oduor. But it's not good news for promising US-based midfielder Lawrence Olum who has once again been ruled out of the team.
Five-nation tournament
Stars coach Twahir Muhiddin on Tuesday said the Austin Aztec player could not link up with the Kenya team for their weekend's African Nations Cup away fixture against Guinea Bissau because of flight connection difficulties. "We could not get him to the county in time because of connection issues but he will definitely be available for the Uganda (Kenya's next opponents in the qualifiers) game," Muhiddin said at Karen where Kenya have set up camp.
The six-foot-two-inch midfielder was amongst the 10 foreign based professional called up by Muhiddin for the opening match of the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers. Olum has been in the radar of Muhiddin since mid last year when the Kenyan coach took over from truant German Antoine Hey in the failed 2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Muhiddin called him up for the Nairobi match against Nigeria in June but the midfielder was unable to link up with his compatriots.
Local-based players
He was again included in a Kenya team that was to play in a little known five nation tournament in Michigan, USA in May this year but the chance went begging when the tournament was cancelled after a couple of teams failed to secure visas. The 26-year-old Olum has made a name for himself playing in the USL (United Soccer League) First Division, the second tier league competition in America.
He joined Austin Aztec this season. The US club is featuring in the 12-team USSF (United States Soccer Federation) Division Two Professional League, created this year to last just one season as a compromise between USL and the North America Soccer League. Muhiddin however said that the Stars midfield remained the most competitive department.
"There are few question marks on the players and positions but the midfield has some stiff competitions. The local-based players have made their mark in the two recent friendly matches (versus Tanzania and Ethiopia)."
