'Marcelo' ruled out of Stars' four nations tourney, 'Crouch' returns

Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 18 - National football team Harambee Stars will be without left back Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma for next week's four-nations tournament in Malawi, as he is ruled out for maximum a month with injury.

A statement posted by his club Rakow Częstochowa confirmed the midfielder picked up an injury in midweek and will not be available for this international break.

"Erick Otieno finished Wednesday's match with an injury. The tests showed a tear of the biceps femoris muscle. Erick's break will last approximately 3-4 weeks," his club Rakow posted on their social media handles.

Ouma's absence will leave coach Engin Firat with only Abud Omar as the outright first choice at left back, though Zambia-based Dennis Ng'ang'a can also fit into left back, a role he played in before shifting to central defense.

While Marcelo has been ruled out, the tactician has been boosted with the availability of centreback Joseph 'Crouch' Okumu who had been ruled out with injury.

However, the lanky defender made a return on Sunday night for his French club Stade de Reims, coming on as a second half substitute in their 2-1 win over Metz.

Okumu, who is in his first season in the French top tier came on in the 61 minute of the game for Thomas Foket.

The team has already reported to camp in Nairobi, with majorly local based players making up the squad, with the returning John Avire and midfielder Teddy Akumu being the only foreign based player in the team at the moment.

The rest of the foreign based players are expected to link up with the team beginning Monday, after playing for their clubs over the weekend.

"We have trained well for the last two sessions as we await to be full house. Everyone is looking forward to the tournament because it will help us especially as we prepare for the assignments coming up for the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers," said midfielder Akumu.