Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has settled on a 22-man squad for Kenya’s opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying fixtures against Eritrea and Guinea.
McCarthy has combined players from the domestic league with Kenyan internationals based in clubs across different countries as he prepares for the two matches.
Gor Mahia has the biggest representation in the squad, with goalkeeper Bryne Omondi joined by defenders Michael Kibagwe and Frank Odhiambo, as well as forwards Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley.
Omondi will compete for the goalkeeping position alongside Nairobi United’s Faruk Shikhalo and Tusker custodian Brian Bwire.
The defensive options include Rooney Onyango of Sogndal, Jamus defender Hannif Wesonga and Stanley Wilson of AIK. Tusker’s Abud Omar, Amos Wanjala of Valencia and Exeter City defender Vincent Harper complete the defensive contingent.
McCarthy has also called up several midfielders playing outside Kenya. Stade Reims midfielder Manzur Okwaro, Charlton Athletic’s Timothy Ouma, Tusker’s Chris Erambo, Yanga midfielder Duke Abuya and Power Dynamos player Marvin Nabwire make up the midfield department.
In attack, captain and Al-Arabi striker Michael Olunga is among the leading names in the squad.
He will be joined by Real Sociedad’s Job Ochieng, Hickory FC forward Javan Ochieng, Micah Obiero of Carlisle United and RFC Liège attacker Ryan Ogam.
Gor Mahia’s Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley are also included among the attacking options, while Mohammed Bajaber has been listed despite currently being unattached to a club.
The squad gives McCarthy a mix of players with international experience and emerging talent competing in leagues both at home and abroad.
Harambee Stars’ schedule
Harambee Stars will begin its Group D campaign against Eritrea on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Nyayo National Stadium.
The Stars will then travel to Conakry for their second fixture against Guinea on Thursday, October 1, with the match scheduled for Stade du 28 Septembre.
Kenya was drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON tournament.
Despite featuring in the qualifying campaign, Kenya has already secured a place at the 2027 continental tournament because it is one of the three host nations, together with Tanzania and Uganda.
The upcoming fixtures will nevertheless provide McCarthy with an opportunity to assess his squad in competitive action as Kenya builds towards the tournament on home soil.
