Mandela is expected to partner Joseph Okumu at centreback after Johnstone Omurwa flew back to Portugal as his club Estoril need him for their crunch match against Porto on Friday.
The Kenya national football team is set to face South Sudan in an international friendly match that will be played at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday from 4 PM as coach Engin Firat continues to build a side that will be competitive enough when the World Cup qualifiers commence in November this year.
Harambee Stars beat Qatar 2-1 on Thursday last week, which sent a wave of optimism across Kenya as fans got to witness the side making history.
Ahead of their second friendly of the international break, Pulse Sports Kenya decided to predict the starting line up for the upcoming match against its Eastern African neighbors.
Here is the line up that will be expected to take on South Sudan on Tuesday evening:
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Goalkeeper- Bryne Omondi
KCB custodian Bryne Omondi is expected to keep his place in the starting line up after impressing in each of his three senior caps.
Both Ian Otieno and Patrick Matasi have flattered to deceive whenever they have been given a chance between the sticks, but Omondi has taken the chance given with both hands.
Omondi is fast proving to be a reliable option between the sticks, and with Firat making it clear he wants to have a settled side for the beginning of the World Cup qualifters, we do not expect him to make a change in net.
Right Back- Daniel Anyembe
The versatile defender did very well on his first full start for Harambee Stars against Qatar and is expected to start in that position against South Sudan. His tall frame should give him an edge against South Sudan, who are renowned for their height advantage
Centre Back- Joseph Okumu
Joseph Okumu has become a mainstay in the national team since the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and is expected to start as one of the centre backs against South Sudan. He will be full of confidence after a first goal for the Harambee Stars against Qatar.
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Centre Back- Brian Mandela
The Mamelodi Sundowns defender is expected to start alongside his good friend Okumu at the back after Johnstone Omurwa, who showed he came of age against Qatar, was recalled back to his club Estoril Amaradora ahead of their crunch Friday night clash against Porto.
Mandela came on as a sub in the 90th minute against Qatar, but is expected to play 90 minutes against South Sudan.
Left Back- Erick Ouma
Erick Marcelo Ouma is expected to start at left back and should build on from his impressive performance against Qatar at Kasarani.
Centre Midfielder- Teddy Akumu
Teddy Akumu is expected to start in midfield as he has grown to become trusted by Engin Firat, and should keep his place there for the foreseeable future.
Centre Midfielder- Richard Odada
Dubbed the new Victor Wanyama, Odada has formed a formidable partnership with Akumu, and Firat will lean on to that double pivot midfield in efforts to make the side form an even stronger understanding than it already had.
Right Winger- Masoud Juma
Although he is a centre forward, Masud Juma has been used as a wide player by Firat because he likes his ability to take on opposition fullbacks when one on one. Given the lack of reliable options, expect Juma to keep his place at right wing.
Left Winger- Timothy Ouma
The former Nairobi City Stars winger is expected to be given a first ever start by Engin Firat at left wing in the absence of Ayub Timbe, who picked up an injury in Qatar.
He will have a chance to impress after Elvis Rupia struggled to make an impact in that role last Thursday.
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Attacking midfielder- Kenneth Muguna
As the side’s chief playmaker, Kenneth Muguna will be expected to start against South Sudan and act as the player to feed Michael Olunga from midfield.
Striker- Michael Olunga
The captain is obviously going to lead the line unless something incredibly unusual happens to him before the match.
Harambee Stars predicted XI: Bryne Omondi, Daniel Anyembe, Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Eric Ouma, Teddy Akumu, Richard Odada, Masud Juma, Timothy Ouma, Kenneth Muguna, Michael Olunga
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