Were called up as trio pull out of Harambee Stars friendlies

Paul Were of Harambee Stars celebrates scoring against Liberia during their FIFA International friendly match at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on November 15, 2016. His transfer from AFC Leopards to Amazulu FC is at the centre of a Fifa probe.

Erick Ouma, Ayub Timbe and Erick Johanna have been withdrawn from the Harambee Stars squad for the double-header international friendlies against Uganda and DRC Congo.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed the trio sent formal requests and were granted time off to settle in their new clubs with the First Coach Stanley Okumbi subsequently calling up winger Pau Were.

Timbe is barely a month old at his new second tier Chinese club, Beijing Renhe FC, while former Gor Mahia star Ouma has only featured four times at Georgian Premier League side FC Kolkheti.

Ouma who will be missing in the Stars’ line-up for the first time since making his debut last year in friendly tie against Sudan is yet to receive a residential ID in Georgia and his departure would mean reapplying for a visa.

“The application process can be tedious and yet my club needs me. By the time I will be needed for the next assignment, the ID will be ready so I will be sure. I just wish my teammates all the best in the two matches,