Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled his provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia. The squad features a mix of experienced internationals and promising young talents as Kenya prepares for two crucial matches in their qualification campaign.
Among the new faces is Central Coast Mariners’ William Lenkupae, who earns his first national team call-up. Young prospects Kelly Madada and Andreas Odhiambo have also been included, signaling McCarthy’s intent to blend youth with experience.
Kenya will kick off their campaign with an away fixture against Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast. They will then return home to face Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 4 PM.
Players are expected to report to camp on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, to begin preparations for the high-stakes encounters.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
- Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)
- Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC)
- Ian Otieno (Richards Bay)
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)
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)
- Mathia 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 (Mérida 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)
McCarthy, who was recently appointed on a two-year deal, will be looking to make a strong start in Kenya’s quest for a historic World Cup qualification.