Benni McCarthy has announced his first Kenya Harambee Stars squad in advance of the pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Gabon and Gambia.
To increase their chances of qualifying, the Harambee Stars will play Gambia in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 20 and host Gabon in Nairobi on March 24.
There are a number of experienced players on the team, including captain Michael Olunga, Joseph Akumu, Brian Mandela, and Masud Juma; among the younger players are Australian-born midfielder William Lenkupae, Edward Omondi, Ben Stanley, Kelly Madada, and Andreas Odhiambo.
McCarthy added that in order to evaluate domestic talent before the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the World Cup qualifiers, a local training camp will begin on March 12.
“This Wednesday will mark my first camp with local-based players to assess their quality for the upcoming CHAN and potentially identify additions for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon,” McCarthy stated.
On March 12, the players are anticipated to report to camp in order to start getting ready for the two crucial games.
Harambee Stars Squad
Goalkeepers:
Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikalo (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 Black Stars, 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)