Harambee Stars new head coach, Benni McCarthy, has named his first squad ahead of the two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon, combining youthful and experienced players.
Kenya will play Squirrels of The Gambia on the 20th this month away in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, before hosting the Panthers of Gabon four days later at the Nyayo National Stadium.
McCarthy has given 1st call-ups to youngsters Edward Omondi, Ben Stanley, Kelly Madada, and Andreas Odhiambo, as well as Australian-born midfielder William Lenkupae.
Skipper Michael Olunga will lead the attack, alongside Jonah Ayunga and Masud Juma.
Stade Reims defender Joseph Okumu headlines the defence, which also includes Swedish side Viborg FF’s Daniel Anyembe and Brian Mandela, who plies his trade at the South African side Stellenbosch.
Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, and Timothy Ouma are the notable figures in the midfield.
The coach also revealed that a local-based training camp will be held from March 12 to assess home-based players in preparation for the 8th TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the World Cup qualifiers.
The players are expected to report to camp on March 12 to begin preparations for the two crucial matches.
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay, South Africa), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City, South Africa)
Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa, Poland), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC, Azerbaijan), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims, France), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina, Serbia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF, Denmark), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch, South Africa), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia).
Midfielders: Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd, Serbia), Duke Abuya (Young Africans, Tanzania), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji, Tanzania), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat, Armenia), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad, Romania), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad, Iran), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD, Spain), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)
Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania), John Avire (Porto Suez, Egypt), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren, Scotland), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji, Tanzania), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC, Iran).
Harambee Stars lie 4th in group F of the next year’s FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with 5 points from 2 draws,1 win and a loss,behind leaders Ivory Coast who have 10 points,Gabon who lie 2nd with 9 points and 3rd placed Burundi with 7 points.
