Benni McCarthy, head coach of the Kenya national football team, has announced his inaugural provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia.
The 47-year-old South African has selected a combination of seasoned players and budding talents as the squad gears up for these crucial fixtures in their qualification journey. Notably absent is Kenya Police FC defender Aboud Omar, whose last appearance for the Harambee Stars was during the Mapinduzi Cup tournament in Zanzibar earlier this January.
During that tournament, which served as a preparation for the now-postponed 2024 Africa Nations Championships to be hosted in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, Omar received a red card during Kenya’s match against the host nation Zanzibar, which concluded with a 1-0 defeat for Kenya.
Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has also been omitted from McCarthy’s squad after his last game saw Kenya suffer a heavy 4-1 loss to Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at Japoma Stadium in Douala. Matasi was scrutinised for his role in conceding the first two goals, leading to then-coach Engin Firat excluding him from following qualifiers, including the 1-0 return leg loss to Cameroon, a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, and a goalless clash with Namibia.
His performances prompted Kenya Police FC to part ways with him, despite the club leading the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League table at the time. He has since signed a two-year deal with Kakamega Homeboyz. McCarthy has also chosen to overlook KCB goalkeeper Brian Odhiambo, opting instead for Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), and Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
In an exciting move, McCarthy has included promising young talents Kelly Madada from AFC Leopards and Andreas Odhiambo from Kariobangi Sharks, while Australia-based midfielder William Lenkupae earns his first national team call-up.
Joseph Okumu, a defender from Reims, will lead the backline after captaining Kenya in matches against Cameroon and Namibia in the absence of star striker Michael Olunga, who has been sidelined due to injury. Okumu will be supported by Sylvester Owino, Ronney Onyango, Alphonce Omija (all Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards), Eric Ouma (Raków Częstochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), and Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Onyango, who previously played for Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns, last represented Kenya in a 2-2 friendly against Russia in October 2023 and has accumulated 39 caps since his debut in 2011.
In the forward line, with Olunga at the helm, McCarthy has handed a debut call-up to Mathew Tegisi, a former Shabana striker who is currently with Tanzania’s Pamba Jiji. Joining him are Tusker striker Ryan Ogam, who leads the Premier League scoring charts, alongside Moses Shumah from Kakamega Homeboyz, and Edward Omondi from Sofapaka FC. Elvis Rupia of Singida Black Stars has also been recalled.
McCarthy has indicated that training will commence on Wednesday, March 12th, providing him with a chance to assess the players. “Wednesday marks my first camp with local-based players to evaluate their quality ahead of the CHAN and to identify possible additions for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon,” he stated.
The Harambee Stars currently sit fourth in Group J with five points. They are set to face Gambia on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast before returning home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 PM Kenyan time.
After facing Gambia and Gabon, Kenya, who have yet to qualify for the World Cup, will host Gambia and Seychelles before heading to Burundi and concluding their preliminary matches against Ivory Coast.
Provisional Kenya Squad:
Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
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 (Raków Częstochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Midfielders: Musa Katibi (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 (Mara Sugar FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners).
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), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC).
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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