Three players from Malaba Minicipality in Busia County have been included in the Harambee Stars squad by Head Coach Benni McCarthy for the delayed African Nations Championship (CHAN) to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania starting August 2.
The trio includes KCB midfielder Mathias “Pogba” Isogol and strikers Emmanuel Osoro of FC Talanta and Boniface Muchiri of Ulinzi Stars.
The local football fraternity said they are elated by the news of the inclusion of their sons in the Harambee Stars squad, noting that it confirms that talent abounds in the region.
Veteran Captain Benard Omonya said Osoro, 20, who emerged as the second top scorer with 15 goals in the Kenya Premier League, is a fast-rising striker in the country and Zambia’s Power Dynamos is looking for his signature.
“Players need morale from county and national governments and scouts to come and nurture talents that abound in the area and offer sponsorship,” Omonya said.
He said Isogol and Osoro were products of Bocar Junior, which nurtured them. They joined Malaba Giants, where they justified their prowess before moving to their respective clubs.
Isogol played for Mara Sugar until January 2025, when he moved to KCB during the transfer window, where he was spotted by the South African-born tactician.
Isogol is among seven midfielders who will do duty for Kenya at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament that is reserved for players plying their trade in their respective domestic leagues.
Muchiri was spotted by FC Amagoro, where he captured the hearts of top Premier clubs, including Tusker FC and the national team, Harambee Stars.
The three players will try to justify their inclusion in the national team when they line up against what is dubbed as a group of death that includes 2018 and 2020 champions Morocco, Angola, and 2009 and 2016 champions DR Congo.
Prior to the CHAN tournament, Kenya will feature in four nation build-up matches involving Uganda, Tanzania, and Southern Sudan in Arusha from July 24-2
By Absalom Namwalo
