While Timbe aggravated an earlier ankle injury he picked before international duty, Omurwa’s Portuguese club CF Estrela de Amadora has requested for his return as they have a crucial game against FC Porto this weekend, according to coach Engin Firat.

“Ayub Timbe got injured again and his ankle was swollen even after the game so it was not possible for him to come and he went back to China,” the coach explained.

“For Johnstone his situation was a little bit different. The club has a difficult match against Porto and the club asked for support to have him back. Johnstone has worked hard to get into the team and we thought for this and also good relation with the club in the future, we let him go back to Portugal,” noted the tactician.

Timbe had come on as a second half substitute against Qatar in Doha, but was pulled out again in added time for Brian Mandela. The winger, who plays for Nanjing City in China, had picked up the injury in club duty and was a doubt for the game.

He however came in at the start of the second half, but couldn’t finish the game.

Omurwa meanwhile partnered Joseph Okumu in defense and the two had a brilliant game with good understanding between each other.

At the same time, Firat has recalled youngster Stanley Wilson and Kenya Police midfielder Tyson Otieno into the team, while Abdallah Hassan is also in the squad having missed the trip to Qatar.

Abdallah had been left out of the Qatar trip after he apparently lost his passport, while Austin and Stanley could not get visas to Doha. The tactician says he had also wanted to have Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo in the team, but he pulled out due to illness.

“Before we travelled Abdallah lost his passport and we are not sure even whether he will play because it is not yet sorted. I had wanted to have Austin also but he sent a message to the Team Manager that he got malaria, but on the same day he played for Gor Mahia, but I am not surprised,” the tactician lamented.

Stars are set to play against  South Sudan on Tuesday at 4pm, in their last of two international friendly matches.