McCarthy names provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has announced a provisional lineup in preparation for the vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the national team is set to compete against Gabon and Gambia. The squad features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging young players, underscoring the team’s ambition for these essential matches.

Among the fresh faces included in the squad are promising young talents Kelly Madada and Andreas Odhiambo, while midfielder William Lenkupae, currently playing in Australia, receives his inaugural call-up.

Reflecting on his selections, Coach McCarthy remarked, “Wednesday will mark my first training camp with locally-based players, allowing me to evaluate their abilities ahead of the upcoming CHAN and to pinpoint potential contributors for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.”

The first challenge will be against Gambia on Thursday, 20 March, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast. The away match represents a critical opportunity for the team to gather crucial points as part of their qualification efforts.

After facing Gambia, the squad will return to home soil and take on Gabon, with their match scheduled for Sunday, 23 March, at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, kicking off at 4pm.

Players are set to report for training on Wednesday, 12 March to commence their preparations for these high-stakes encounters.

Provisional Squad Breakdown:

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 (Rakow Czestochowa)
• 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)