Charles Thuku
Much-talked-about Zambia-based striker Jesse Were has been recalled in the Harambee Stars squad for the team’s international friendly match against Uganda Cranes at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) on September 8.
Stars will be using the match as build-up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers which kicks off in November with an away match against Egypt. Other teams in the pool are Togo and Comoros.
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Were, who plies his trade with Zambian top-tier league side Zesco United, received the nod from newly appointed coach Francis Kimanzi after being overlooked by immediate former trainer Sebastien Migne, who has since resigned from the team on mutual agreement with Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The striker blossomed under Kimanzi in club football where he emerged the league top scorer twice, a clear indication that the new head coach knows how to make him get the goals.
Were’s selection in the squad is certainly music in the ears of most Kenyan fans who had caused an uproar over Migne’s assertion that the striker does not fit the bill in the national team oblivious of the fact that he was the top scorer in the Zambian league for two consecutive seasons.
“As technical bench officials we took a sober approach in selecting the team and our plan was to continue from where Migne left. I believe each of the players who will be selected has the pedigree to play for the national team,” said Kimanzi soon after FKF officially unveiled him as the new Head Coach at Safari Park Hotel last Tuesday.
The new faces in the team, and who had earlier been named but failed to make the final squad, include ex-Mathare United man Cliff Nyakeya who plies his trade with Egypt’s Al Masr, Kakamega Homeboyz’s Moses Mudavadi and Boniface Muchiri of Tusker.
The surprise exclusions are regulars Musa Mohammed and David “Calabar” Owino who play for Zesco United and Nkana FC, respectively in the Zambian league.
