Kenya's football coach drops 4 players ahead of Nigeria tie

Nairobi, May 8 (IANS)

Four players were dropped from Kenya’s squad preparing for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria here June 5.

Assistant head coach James Nandwa said Tuesday four others were drafted in to fill the slots and confirmed that the foreign based contingent that will augment the final squad will be named this week, reports Xinhua.

Tusker FC forward Ismail Dunga, Sofapaka midfielder David Owino and Thika United pair Daniel Mwaura and David Kingatua were dropped from the team.

Nandwa disclosed that injuries had knocked Dunga and Owino out, while Mwaura and Kingatua “need to take a break”.

In their places, the technical bench has called up Eugene Asike and John Njuguna, both of Sofapaka, Sher Karuturi’s Andrew Murunga and Edwin Lavatsta of Gor Mahia.

On the match against Nigeria, Nandwa said the technical bench is keeping tabs on the Super Eagles, who were held to a 1-1 home draw last month when the two sides met in the Port City of Calabar.

“We are aware of the changes they have made in the squad, we know that they will train outside Nigeria, probably Europe because the bulk of the players are professionals based there. From there, they will fly directly to Nairobi,” he said.