By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy expressed his excitement about leading the team in his first two World Cup.
“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,” said the coach.
He spoke after he named his traveling squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.
Notably, U20 defender Manzur Okwaro earns a spot in the final squad, while Ismael Gonzalez marks his return to the national team after an extended absence.
Eric Johana Omondi, Daniel Francis Anyembe, and Richard Odada will join the team in Abidjan.
The national team will first face Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast.
They will 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.
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
Traveling Squad
Goalkeepers
- Ian Otieno
- Brian Bwire
- Faruk Shikhalo
Defenders
- Jonestone Omurwa
- Brian Mandela
- Daniel Anyembe
- Amos Nondi
- Erick Ouma
- Manzur Okwaro
- Ronny Onyango
Midfielders
- Anthony Akumu
- Richard Odada
- Ismael Gonzalez
- Timothy Ouma
- Eric Johana
- Duke Abuya
- Mohammed Bajaber
- Ben Stanley Omondi
Forwards
- Masud Juma
- Jonah Ayunga
- Elvis Rupia
- John Avire
- Michael Olunga
