NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Renhe forward Ayub Timbe has arrived in Kenya's Harambee Stars camp in Paris ready to prove to coach Sebastian Migne that he is fit to fight for a starting spot.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday that Timbe, the China-based winger, has linked up with the team in camp. He arrived together with Sweden-based Eric Johanna, Ovella Ochieng, and Eric Ouma.
"Timbe is in training camp and running very well. It seems he has not lost any of his sharpness, but the coach will review him alongside other players' performance and decide who will play against Madagascar," said Mwendwa.
Timbe was out injured and had to undergo a knee surgery in January. However, he promised the coach to shake off the problem.
Timbe has been in fine form since undergoing surgery, and provided the assist for the second Beijing Renhe goal when they won 2-0 over Tianjin Tianhai on June 1.
Migne will have three days to access his fitness level before the team play Madagascar in their first international friendly match in Paris on Friday.
Kenya is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, which will be played in Egypt starting from June 21 to July 19.
A total of 24 teams will converge in Egypt for the continent's premier football bonanza. Kenya's Harambee Stars are pooled in Group C with Teranga Lions of Senegal, Desert Foxes of Algeria and Taifa Stars of Tanzania. There are six groups of four teams each. Top two and the four best third place finishers will advance to the round of 16.