Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a 38-man provisional squad as Kenya prepares for its opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Eritrea and Guinea. McCarthy handed maiden senior call-ups to Kevin Wangaya, Louis Millard, and Javan Ochieng. Wangaya, playing for Nairobi United in the Kenya Premier League, earned his spot following a breakout performance at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where officials named him to the Group Stage Best 11. Millard arriv
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a 38-man provisional squad as Kenya prepares for its opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Eritrea and Guinea.
McCarthy handed maiden senior call-ups to Kevin Wangaya, Louis Millard, and Javan Ochieng. Wangaya, playing for Nairobi United in the Kenya Premier League, earned his spot following a breakout performance at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, where officials named him to the Group Stage Best 11. Millard arrives from EFL League Two outfit Swindon Town, while Ochieng currently plays for US-based club Hickory FC.
The selection strategy rewards standout form across domestic and international competitions, introducing fresh talent to the national team. The squad also features Spain-based teenage prospects Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo) and former Rising Stars captain Amos Wanjala (Valencia CF), alongside Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng.
Kenya opens its Group D campaign on home soil against Eritrea on Saturday, September 26, at the Nyayo National Stadium. The team will then travel to Conakry to face Guinea at the Stade du 28 Septembre on October 1.
Although Kenya has automatically qualified for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, McCarthy intends to use the qualification matches as competitive preparation to build a championship-caliber team.
Experienced leadership anchors the youthful squad. Team captain Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi), defender Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), and veteran left-back Abud Omar, who recently guided Tusker to FKF Super Cup success, all received call-ups.
On the domestic front, Gor Mahia leads all clubs with six player inclusions: goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, defenders Michael Kibwage, Paul Ochuoga, and Frank Odhiambo, along with attackers Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley.
Goalkeepers:
Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikalo, Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, Caleb Kramer
Defenders:
Manzur Okwaro, Stanley Wilson, Abud Omar, Joseph Okumu, Amos Wanjala, Frank Odhiambo, Daniel Ayembe, Deon Woodman, Michael Kibwage, Rooney Onyango, Paul Ochuoga, Hannif Wesonga
Midfielders:
Zak Vyner, Timothy Ouma, Kevin Wangaya, Chris Erambo, Duke Abuya, Marvin Nambwire, Austin Odhiambo, Zech Obiero, William Lenkupae, Aldrine Kibet
Attackers:
Mohammed Bajaber, Sharif Musa, Ben Stanley, Job Ochieng, Adam Wilson, Javan Ochieng, Louis Millard, Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Micah Obiero, Lawrence Okoth
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