Origi rules himself out of Tunisia tie

By Gilbert Wandera

Norway based goalkeeper Arnold Origi has said he will not be coming for this month’s World Cup qualifier against Tunisia.

Origi said yesterday he started training two weeks ago after recovering from a foot injury and therefore he may not be match fit.

“I have just started training two weeks ago and very lightly at that. It won’t allow me to have the required fitness for the match against Tunisia,” he said in an email message.

Origi said the training is to get his body get used to the strenuous exercises.

“So at this moment I am in no condition to compete for a position with the rest of the goalkeepers who at this point are at their top,” he added.

He emphasised his commitment to the team promising to be available in future.

Origi’s statement comes barely three days after France based striker Dennis Oliech said a thigh injury could keep him out of action for at least a month.

World Cup qualifier

Origi cracked his kneecap during a World Cup qualifier fixture against Zimbabwe on June 14 last year in Nairobi.

At the Harambee Stars camp in Kasarani, coach Antoine Hey welcomed a planned international friendly against Iran next weekend.

Hey said he will use the match to test his local based players as he prepares to whittle down the current squad to accommodate foreign based players.

“It is good idea to play a friendly match then as it will give us an indication on the form and fitness of the local players,” he said.

Football Kenya technical director Patrick Naggi said Francis Ouma currently on trials with Italian Serie B side Parma is expected in the country next Tuesday to join the team.

Harambee Stars broke camp yesterday evening to allow players join their clubs for weekend Premier League matches.

Meanwhile, the Nairobi Football Academy scouting programme continues tomorrow at the CID Training ground, South C Nairobi. Academy Director Terry Hussein said like previously, the exercise is open and free to all youngsters.

Diverse squad

“We want by March 20 when Italian coach Sergio Garci arrives for a training session, we have as diverse squad as possible,” Terry said.

“We want to provide an avenue to as many youngsters so that they can show what they aspire for. Because of Mariga’s good performance in Italy there is growing interest in Kenyan players,” Terry said.

Elsewhere, KFF Nairobi Branch chairman Simon Mugo has lauded the Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s inauguration of Harambee Stars Managament Board. Mugo, however, took issue with Mohammed Hatimy and Titus Kasuve’s presence in the board.

“Whereas Hussein Mohammed the other have corporate image the two are involed leadership wrangles,” Mugo said.

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