Head Coach Benjamin Ayimba has unveiled the 12-man Kenya squad for the Africa Olympic Qualifier in Johannesburg this weekend.
Ayimba has included Willy Ambaka in an experienced team captained by Andrew Amonde and featuring the likes of Collins Injera, Biko Adema and Dennis Ombachi who returns after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Ayimba has also handed debuts to Frank Wanyama and Jeffrey Oluoch.
Niggling injuries keep Humphrey Kayange and Bush Mwale out of the qualifiers while Oscar Ouma was unavailable for training.
Ayimba said, “Everybody is going to come hard at Kenya, but we are well prepared. We have a team that is the best we can ask for as a technical bench. We are fired up…the incentive is to qualify for the Olympics.”
Kenya is in Pool A with Madagascar, Mauritius and Senegal. Pool B features Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria and Uganda while Pool C comprises Tunisia, Morocco, Namibia and Botswana.
The winner of the twelve-team tournament will qualify for next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics while the second, third and fourth-placed teams will attend the final qualifying tournament in June.
Kenya Squad:
Andrew Amonde(KCB, Captain), Collins Injera (Mwamba), Jeffrey Oluoch (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Eden Agero (Kenya Harlequin),Biko Adema (Total Nondies), Augustine Lugonzo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz),William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin), Oscar Ayodi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz),Dennis Ombachi (Mwamba), Frank Wanyama (Kenya Harlequin), Leonard Mugaisi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Billy Odhiambo (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos)
Head Coach: Benjamin Ayimba, Assistant Coach: Paul Murunga, S&C: Geoffrey Kimani, Physio: Lameck Bogonko, Team Manager: Newton Ong’alo