Harambee Stars stand in coach James Nandwa has called up five more players to beef up his squad ahead of the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) match against Burundi next month.All the players recalled by Nandwa featured in the Cecafa tournament, and it looks like an attempt by the coach to work with familiar players.Recalled for the match are midfielders Kevin Omondi and Paul Were as well as Rama Salim, David Owino and Mike Barasa.Nandwa said he believes the five players will offer him plenty of options as the team prepares for the return leg on January 5 at the Nyayo National Stadium.“The addition of the five gives me a squad of 25 players to train with ahead of the Burundi match.“I will work with all the players and drop those I don’t need as the match day draws closer.“For the return match, I need players who are faster and can cross the ball as well as a finisher. Omondi, Were and Barasa fit the bill here,” he said.He said defender Owino will be an able replacement for veteran James Situma who remains doubtful for the return match after picking an injury during the first match last Sunday. “Situma got injured and we had to pull him off. He is recovering and therefore we are not sure of his availability. In this regard, we called up David Owino to give us cover at the back.“Owino has recovered from an injury he suffered during the final match of the regional tournament in Uganda and back in training. He is a great player to have and his presence therefore gives us plenty of confidence,” the coach said.Nandwa said he was trying hard to make use of the time they have to build a winning squad and is concerned that there may not be enough time to do that.Kenya are striving to play in the CHAN finals to be held next year. After the team failed to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals and no hope of playing in the 2014 World Cup, the next major championships for the team is the CHAN event.
