Soulama (left) and Ochaya are off on international duty
Kotoko goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye and in-form left back Joseph Ochaya have been invited by their national teams for the upcoming 2014 world cup qualifier scheduled for next week.
Ochaya is part of the Cranes of Uganda squad for their world cup qualifier against Liberia at home while Soulama will feature for the Stallions of Burkina against Niger.
All the matches are slated for June 7, 2013.
Uganda is last in Group J with two points below Senegal 5 points, Liberia 4, and Angola 3. Burkina Faso is in Group E alongside Congo 9 points, Burkina Faso 3, Niger 3 and Gabon 3.
Prior to his departure from the Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday, Ochaya told Kotoko?s website that he was eager to make a mark for his country and help them improve their position in their group.
?It?s always a pleasure and honour to be invited by your national team. I know we have been called for a purpose and we will work hard to achieve it? Ochaya noted.
The lanky defender, noted for his powerful shots was part of the Uganda U-20 team that lost 4-3 on aggregate to the Black Satellites in the Africa Youth Championship qualifier last year at the Tamale Sports Stadium.
His joined Kotoko afterwards and he has improved tremendously. By dint of hard work he was invited by his national team for the CECAFA Cup early this year.
It was a tough tournament but Ochaya contributed immensely to help his team beat Kenya 2-1 in the final to win the trophy at stake.
He was hoping to see the Cranes of Uganda qualify for the AFCON 2013 but they couldn?t make it. Uganda lost 7-8 to Zambia on penalties after they played 1-1 on aggregate.
Having grabbed only two points from three games in the world cup qualifier, it is doubtful Uganda can make it to their first ever world cup in Brazil but Ochaya said they would fight till the final whistle. He added that their immediate target is to beat Liberia next week.
Soulama Abdoulaye is also looking up to a successful game with the Stallions of Burkina Faso.
After helping them to finish as runners up in the recent Africa Cup of Nations, the agile goalie is aiming high to see his side qualifying for their maiden world cup.
Like Uganda, the chances of Burkina Faso look slim but Soulama and his colleagues have not thrown in the towel.
In a related development, Rashid Sumaila, another Kotoko player is currently with the Black Stars preparing for the double header in the world cup qualifier against Sudan and Lesotho in June 7 and June 16 respectively.
The Stars are second in Group D with six points. Zambia is first with 7 points, Lesotho third with two points and Sudan fourth with just a point. The Black Stars will meet Sunday while Zambia hosts Lesotho next week.
By: Bernard Nyankomago Yeboah
