Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles. Benni McCarthy is aiming to win his first World Cup qualifier next month. McCarthy and his team are coming off an impressive CHAN 2024 campaign, where they reached the quarter-final before a painful exit. Madagascar defeated Harambee Stars on penalties in the quarterfinals. Had they won that match, they would likely be playing in the final on Saturday at Kasarani Stadium. Who’s in and out of Benni McCarthy’s squad? The South African has included most of the squad that played at CHAN in his latest squad. 13 players who represented Kenya at the tournament have made the team. .
Captain Michael Olunga will return to the team after missing the June friendlies against Chad. Real Sociedad star Job Ochieng has also earned his first call-up. Austin Odhiambo, Mohamed Siraj, Daniel Sakari, Chrispine Erambo, and Masoud Juma are among the notable players from the CHAN 2024 squad who have been left out. Which foreign-based players have been included? Olunga, who recently swapped clubs in Qatar, leads the foreign-based contingent who will merge with the CHAN squad. He will be joined by Richard Odada, who plies his trade with Dundee United in Scotland. He was, until recently, on loan in Serbia. Czech-based Timothy Ouma is the other foreign player, alongside William Lenkupae, who recently moved to a Finnish club after a long spell in the Australian league. Former Gor Mahia defender Rooney Onyango, who is in Norway, is also in the squad. The biggest omission is dependable full-back Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, who misses out on the squad due to injury.
“Dear fans, unfortunately, yesterday during our training, I got injured, and the test revealed that I ruptured my Achilles tendon. I would have wished to play for my club and Kenya during the upcoming games, but unfortunately, it is beyond my control. I will do everything to come back stronger than ever. God bless you all .” Benni McCarthy’s full squad for Gambia, Seychelles Goalkeepers Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire Defenders Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Abud Omar, Lewis Bandi Midfielders Richard Odada, Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Manzur Suleiman, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire Wingers Emmanuel Osoro, William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri Strikers Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam How did Kenyans react to Harambee Stars squad? @Richie254: “Huyo Emmanuel Osoro is a very good striker. Apewe game time as well. I know him.” @RagnarKP: “Wenye mnaulizia Austin hamjui ball vizuri Austin is a good promising footballer but he is not physical,not a fighter he plays simple football and he can’t run the whole game I don’t see much of him in the national team in near future.”
@abdulqaadirMN: “Mansur asiwahi kosa kwa hii squad ya Harambee. He’s our next Valverde. A talented boy from KD,” Michael Olunga will return to the Harambee Stars squad after CHAN 2024. @Kweyu_ “Nimefika hapo Kwa Olunga nikachoka Sana.” Why will Harambee Stars play Gambia, Seychelles? McCarthy’s first two matches were in the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon played in March. William Lekupae’s last-gasp goal secured a draw for Kenya, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon narrowly edged them 1-0 at Nyayo Stadium. Both matches against Gambia and Seychelles will be played at Kasarani Stadium, per FKF, on September 5 and September 9, the first international break of the 2025/26 season.
By Edwin Kiplagat
