mtnfootball.com
In-form striker Daniel Sserunkuma, who scored in the Kenyan derby last weekend, and goalkeeper Abey Dhaira will miss the Cranes’ international friendly against Botswana on August 31st in Gaborone.
Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic told MTNFootball.com this afternoon that Kenyan side Gor Mahia, who are seriously targeting the Tusker Premier League, will not release their prized asset because they have a league game this weekend, while Dhaira also says he is injured.
“I tried to speak to Gor Mahia, but their coach Bobby Williamson said they cannot release him because the date for the friendly is not a recognized FIFA date for friendly matches and yet they have a league game,” explained Micho.
He was, however, more upset about the Tanzania based goalkeeper Dhaira who featured for his team Simba SC in a league game last weekend is likely to feature tomorrow as well.
“Let me hope he is really injured,” added Micho.
The coach said despite the absence of the two players he will not be derailed ahead of their bigger mission when they face Senegal on September 7th in a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier.
“I will take the players who are present and will prepare accordingly. I will of course mix the team going for the friendly with players who qualified for the 2014 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN),” explained the coach.
Poland based Vincent Kayizzi, who has been recalled to the team after over a year, and Emmanuel Okwi (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia) and Geoffrey Walusimbi (Don Bosco, DR Congo) are the only professionals who are available for training alongside the home based players.
After the game against Botswana, the Cranes are expected to have a four days camp in Istanbul, Turkey before they connect to Marakkech on September 5th.