Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, is gearing up for a pivotal moment in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Benni McCarthy.
The South African football legend who also coached Manchester United has named his first squad with a strategic mix of seasoned internationals and promising young talents.
The Harambee Stars are set to face Gambia on March 20 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, before hosting Gabon in Nairobi on March 24, as they aim to bolster their qualification hopes.
McCarthy’s squad includes several fresh faces, such as Edward Omondi, Ben Stanley, Kelly Madada, and Andreas Odhiambo, signaling his commitment to providing opportunities for the next generation of stars.
Australian-born midfielder William Lenkupae’s inclusion adds international depth to the midfield lineup.
“This Wednesday will mark my first camp with local-based players to assess their quality for the upcoming CHAN and potentially identify additions for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon,” McCarthy shared.
While youth takes center stage, McCarthy has retained key senior players to ensure stability.
Captain Michael Olunga, Kenya’s all-time leading scorer, will spearhead the attack, alongside forwards Jonah Ayunga and Masud Juma. Defensively, Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), and Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF) bring a wealth of experience to the squad.
The midfield will be anchored by Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, and Timothy Ouma, combining defensive strength with creative playmaking.
Ahead of the qualifiers, the Harambee Stars will hold a local-based training camp starting March 12 to evaluate talent for both the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the upcoming World Cup matches.
Full Squad
- Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay, South Africa), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City, South Africa)
- Defenders: Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), among others
- Midfielders: William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd, Serbia), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
- Forwards: Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail, Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren, Scotland), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC)
