Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has announced significant changes to his squad as they prepare for the crucial Africa Nations Championship qualifier return leg against South Sudan, scheduled for Sunday in Kampala.
Firat is looking to introduce fresh talent to strengthen the team, which has already secured its spot as co-host for the tournament.
We’re giving new players a chance to prove themselves. With an initial pool of 45, we’ll make several adjustments for this leg to evaluate the newcomers,” Firat shared.
Despite their host status, Firat is determined to use the qualifiers for player development. “Our focus is on improving results. Even though qualification isn’t at stake, this match will help us gauge the new players’ readiness and identify talent for the senior team,” he noted.
Among the debuting players are Tusker FC’s Charles Momanyi and striker Ryan Ogam, both of whom have had standout seasons.
The Stars, aiming to recover from their 2-0 loss to South Sudan in Juba, need a win by a margin of more than three goals to advance to the next round. Firat acknowledged that the loss was driven by South Sudan’s intense motivation for qualification.
