Budding attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu earned his senior national team cap in Kenya’s 1-1 draw to host Uganda in a fifth-round 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Thursday 11 November 2021.

Babu, on his first consideration at the senior level, came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for winger Samuel Onyango to earn his first cap.

Substitution

? Samuel Onyango
? Timothy Ouma

A debut for the boy from Kawangware#UgandaCranes ?? 0-1 ?? #HarambeeStars #Tunaweza

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 11, 2021

According to InStat Scout, a Sports Data Service provider, Babu had a pass accuracy of 71% playing off wide on the left and had a decent shot for a goal that weaved just wide.

Babu, a former LAiser Hill Academy lad, will be hoping for another chance to represent the country when Kenya hosts Rwanda in the final round of Group ‘E’ games on Monday 15 November 2021 at Nyayo Stadium starting 3 pm.

Against Uganda, skipper Micheal Olunga Kenya up 1-0 in the 62nd minute after heading in a Kenneth Muguna freekick.

Uganda leveled matters in the 89th minute after Fahad Bayo disposed Kenya keeper Brian Bwire to end the game on equal terms.

F.T

The hosts find a narrow escape.

Tough one to take for us, but full focus shifts back to our final match against Rwanda at home, on Monday.#UgandaCranes ?? 1-1 ?? #HarambeeStars #Tunaweza pic.twitter.com/Hv3WU2VsCv

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 11, 2021

Lineups

Here’s our starting lineup ?

❌ Eric Ouma and Eric Johanna miss out due to injury
✅ Amos Nondi and Anthony Wambani start

? https://t.co/TuRj5O157s pic.twitter.com/fUT8YnAcAI

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 11, 2021

Uganda: Charles Lukwago, Dennis Iguma, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awany (Martin Kiiza-80), Mugabi, Aziz Kayondo (Ibrahim Orit-46), Khalid Aucho, Moses Waiswa (Yunus Ssentamu-63), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Allan Okelo-70), Steven Mukwala (Milton Karisa-46), Fahad Bayo

Unused subs: Ismail Wetanga, Mathias Kigonya (GK), Livingstone Mulondo, Mahad Yaya Kakooza, John Revita, Gavin Kizito, Shafiq Kagimu

Coach: Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević

Kenya: Brian Bwire, Aboud Omar, David Cheche Ochieng, Joseph Okumu, Abdallah Hassan, [Anthony Wambani ((Alwyn Luheni Tera-63 (Musa Mohammed-90+))], Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Samuel Onyango (Timothy Noor Ouma-72), Amos Nondi Obiero, Michael Olunga

Unused subs: James Saruni (GK), Ian Otieno (GK), Cliffton Miheso, Ismael Dunga, Cliff Nyakeya, Richard Odada, Johnstone Omurwa, Duke Abuya

Coach: Engin Firat

Nairobi City Stars attacking midfielder Timothy Noor Ouma aka Babu is part of the 24-man squad named for a fifth-round 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Thursday 11 November 2021 at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende starting 4 pm. 

Here’s the squad for our final round of 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the @UgandaCranes and Rwanda ?

? https://t.co/cAV3j5OLpA#Tunaweza pic.twitter.com/QWbxxg5Ijz

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 10, 2021

Next Assignment ?#Tunaweza pic.twitter.com/7Hej2qkNws

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 8, 2021

Ouma – on his first call to the Kenya National team – is one of 13 midfielders picked up for the upcoming game by head coach Engin Firat.

“Training in the past few days has been an eye-opener and a very good learning curve,”

“Making the final squad means the world to me. I still have a lot to learn from best and this opportunity is a good beginning,” said Babu

Three goalkeepers, two strikers, and six defenders complete Firat’s squad to Uganda.

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