Charles Nyende And James Momanyi
2 September 2008
Nairobi — Victor Mugabe of Belgium side Germinal Beerschot has been ruled of the Harambee Stars squad that is preparing for a World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations Group Two qualifying tie against Namibia at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Saturday.
At the same time, the national team has received a Sh3 million sponsorship package from Kenya Data Networks towards preparation for the Saturday clash.
Harambee Stars team manager Peter Serry said Mugabe, who had been named in the original provisional squad, had encountered a visa snag and was unable to travel to Nairobi.
Striker Francis Chinjili of KPL side Mahakama has been drafted into the team to beef up attack.
Kenya coach Francis Kimanzi played down the unavailability of Mugabe.
"I have never used Mugabe before. I wanted to test him and see what he can offer. I have tested Chinjili and we will see how it goes," Kimanzi said during a mid morning training session at Kasarani.
During the cheque presentation ceremony at KDN offices in Nairobi yesterday, the KDN chief operating officer David Owino said the sponsorship would cover the Saturday match as well as the away match against Guinea.
"KDN have clinched the commercial rights of the game and we will continue supporting the team on the road to South Africa. Sh2 million will go towards the team sponsorship while the players will share 1 million after the match," said Owino.
The KFF secretary, also the Harambee Stars Management Board co-chairman, Sammy Obingo, thanked KDN for their support.
"Today we have made a big breakthrough. KFF partnership with Kenya Premier League (KPL) has now managed to sell commercial and media rights, unlike in the past."
Team captain Robert Mambo, who plies his trade with Swedish outfit GIF Sundsvall, was the last of the foreign legion to report to camp on Tuesday.
Allan Wanga (Petro Atletico, Angola), Patrick Oboya (Siad Most, Czech Republic), Jamal Muhammed (Eskopings, Sweden), Macdonald Mariga (Parma, Italy) and George Owino (Yanga, Tanzania) all reported to camp by Monday to join the local based players.
Kimanzi is only lacking dangerous striker Dennis Oliech from the squad that has thus far done duty for the country in the current campaign where they lie second in the table with seven points, same as group leaders Guinea but with an inferior goal difference.
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