Carlisle United striker Micah Obiero has been called up by the Kenya national team for two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month. The 25-year-old will join the Harambee Stars squad for matches against Eritrea on September 26 and Guinea on October 1.
His selection means he will miss Carlisle's National League games against Woking on September 26 and AFC Fylde on September 29. He could also be a doubt for the trip to Aldershot Town on October 3, just two days after the Guinea fixture. This is a significant development for a Carlisle side sitting 15th in the table with 10 points from eight games.
Obiero has two full caps for Kenya, having made his debut against Lesotho while playing for Wealdstone. He qualifies through his father, former Kenya international Henry Obiero. The striker is one of three English-based players in the squad named by manager Benni McCarthy, alongside Exeter City's Vincent Harper and Charlton Athletic's Timothy Ouma.
Impact on Carlisle
Obiero's absence will be felt by a Carlisle attack that has scored 16 goals this season. He scored on his first league start for the club in the recent 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers, netting the equaliser in the 29th minute. That result was part of a recent run of form that reads one win, three draws and one loss from the last five matches.
The club's next fixture is away to 14th-placed Eastleigh on September 19, a game you can preview on our fixtures page. Managerial planning for the period without Obiero will be key as Carlisle look to close the 10-point gap to league leaders Boreham Wood.
Kenya boss Benni McCarthy, the former Blackburn Rovers forward, is overseeing the qualification campaign. Obiero's call-up is a personal milestone that presents a clear logistical challenge for his club side in the final week of September.
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