NAIROBI, Kenya March 4 – Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson, says the call up of six key players in their national teams for Wednesday’s FIFA International friendlies has affected preparations for Saturday’s CAF Champions League first round return leg in Tunis.
Defenders David ‘Calabar’ Owino and Musa Mohamed as well as midfielder Anthony Akumu are among 20 players called-up by Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche, who is reported to have jetted in the country Monday to assemble the team less than 24 hours for their build up match against the Falcons of Sudan in Khartoum.
Williamson also released forward Dan Sserunkuma, left back Godfrey Walusumbi and midfielder Geoffrey Kizito, on Monday to honour their Uganda Cranes fixture against Chipolopolo of Zambia.
“We are not ready for the return leg since a couple of my key players are currently on international duty with their national teams and that has interfered with our training schedule.
“We will have to prepare physiologically since we have few days remaining ahead of our match but I don’t mind them playing but as long as they don’t pick up injuries,” the former Cranes tactician who will name his final Squad on Wednesday told Capital Sport after conducting training at Nairobi’s City Stadium.
K’Ogalo who lost 2-3 to visiting side Esperance de Tunis have a tall order to overturn the deficit over the two-time champions in order to proceed to the second stage but the Scot says he is yet to analyze his charges since they are affected by injuries.
“We will go and get a goal that’s for sure since we have a composed side. We could have won the first leg but some few individual mistakes cost us but that gives me confidence that we can create chances and score.
“There are few players who are injured but that’s part of football and it also create an opportunity for other players to step in.”
According to club Secretary General Chris Omondi, the team will depart in two batches with the first jetting out Thursday and the rest on Friday.
“The team will aboard Qatar Airways in two groups this is because the first flight on Thursday was fully booked and could only accommodate a few.
“We have organised for all traveling documents with the federation also in possession of the squad’s passport numbers ready for the departure later in the week,” Omondi stated.