New Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named his travelling squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia.
The South African has named Kenya U20 defender Manzur Okwaro in the travelling team so is Gor Mahia’s Ben Stanley who has barely had a sniff of club football. Midfielder Ismael Gonzalez marks his return to the national team after an extended absence with Eric Johana Omondi, Daniel Francis Anyembe, and Richard Odada, who are yet to join the team, set to join the rest of their teammates in Abidjan.
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There is no place for Ligue One defender Joseph Okumu despite the defender playing for his team yesterday in a goalless draw against Brest.
Speaking after announcing his final squad, McCarthy said, “I’m thrilled to lead my first two World Cup qualifiers. I’m eager to work with the talented squad I’ve selected for the campaign. There’s plenty of hard work and dedication ahead, but we’re ready to embrace the challenge as a team.”
Harambee Stars will first face the Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast and return home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 4 PM.
Kenya currently sits fourth in the group standings with 5 points, having secured one win against Seychelles and two draws against Ivory Coast and Burundi. Group leaders Ivory Coast top the standings with 10 points.
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The winners of each group will directly qualify for the tournament. Additionally, the four best runners-up from the groups will advance to the CAF Play-Off tournament whose winner shall take part in a FIFA Playoff tournament for a chance to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team is set to depart from Nairobi on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Harambee Stars Traveling Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire and Faruk Shikhalo
Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa, Brian Mandela, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Erick Ouma, Manzur Okwaro and Ronny Onyango
Midfielders: Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Ismael Gonzalez, Timothy Ouma, Eric Johana, Duke Abuya, Mohammed Bajaber and Ben Stanley Omondi
Forwards: Masud Juma, Jonah Ayunga, Elvis Rupia, John Avire and Michael Olunga
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