Kenya Under 20 National youth soccer coach Vince Ombiji is a worried man after several Kenya Premier League(KPL) clubs failed to release their players to join the team.
Gor Mahia and Sony Sugar have been accused as the major culprits by sabotaging the National Junior team which face a crucial away tie against Lesotho before the end of the month .
Gor Mahia players in the team include Anthony Okumu, and Duncan Owiti while Goalkeeper Caleb Adola of Kenya Commercial Bank(KCB) and Paul Were of Tusker are also missing in the training camp.
Other players yet to report for training include four players from Sony Sugar that include Victor Majid,Joshua Abdul,George Amayo, and Cyrus Shitote respectively.
Ombiji said he was facing an uphill task since he is not receiving any support from KPL clubs that should be the first to show commitment to the national calling.
The Under 20 soccer team played a friendly match last evening at the Nyayo National Stadium against Ministry of Youth team(Moyas) where they won 4-0 .The goals were scored by James Orundu,David Kingatua, Abdi Malik Mohamed and Mohamed Asman respectively.
Nevertheless, Ombiji has beefed up the team by introducing AFC Leopards duo of James Orundu, and Paul Odhimbo.Other new call-ups include James Shikaka of Coast United, and Issa Ahmed(Posta Rangers) .Also in the team is Thika United duo of Francis Kahata , Joseph Kuria and a one John Mbugua who remains un-attached.
A Masai player Majid Lemaiyan of Nairobi National Academy has also been drafted in the team.Ombiji described him as a promising player adding that he has a place in the team since he has all the good attributes that include discipline,time- conscious ,timing and running pace.
19 players are currently in camp.The team lost 1-0 to Lesotho last month during the first leg tie staged at the Nyayo National Stadium.They must beat Lesotho by two clean goals which coach Ombiji believes its possible. “We always play thrive well when we play away because there is less pressure.When we play at home, my players tend to become nervous owing to pressure from home fans.We have done well while outside and I believe we shall carry forward that good element in Lesotho”Observed Ombiji.
The World Under 20 National soccer Championship will be held in A ugust 2012 in Venezuela while the Africa Under 20 finals will be held in Libya mid July next year.Ghana are the defending Champions.
Kenya got a bye to the second round after Eritrea pulled out citing financial constraints. They went on to eliminate Sudan before setting a date with Lesotho who had knocked out South Africa.
Technical bench members in the team included Coach Vince Ombiji,Assistants Rishadi Shedu,Ibrahim Kigonge,Team Manager Bonface Kariuki,Team Physician Dr.Joseph Ndaba.
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