Kenya coach Sebastien Migne has announced his preliminary 30-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, with Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama leading the list as the team’s star player. The Harambee Stars are set to hold a training camp in France, which will include two friendly matches against Gambia and Madagascar as part of their preparation ahead of the tournament. Notably, Zesco United striker Jesse Were is absent, while former Swedish U17 international Christopher Mbamba has been called up, highlighting Migne’s mix of experience and emerging talent.
Kenya has been drawn into Group C alongside Senegal, Algeria, and Tanzania, presenting a challenging path to the knockout stages. The squad’s goalkeepers include Patrick Matasi (St. Georges, Ethiopia), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), John Oyemba (Kariobangi Sharks), and Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks). Defensively, Migne has selected Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia), Musa Mohammed (Nkana FC), Joash Onyango (Gor Mahia), Abud Omar (Sepsi Sfântu-Romania), David Owino (Zesco United), Bernard Ochieng (Vihiga United), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United), Erick Ouma (Vasalund IF, Sweden), and Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA).
The midfield combines experience and international exposure, featuring Victor Wanyama (Tottenham, England), Anthony Akumu (Zesco United, Zambia), Eric Johanna (IF Bromma), Ismael Gonzales (UD Las Palmas, Spain), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Dennis Odhiambo (Sofapaka), Johanna Omollo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), and Whyvonne Isuza (AFC Leopards). In attack, Kenya will rely on Clifton Miheso (Portugal), Paul Were (AFC Leopards), Ayub Timbe (Beijing Renhe, China), Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Allan Wanga (Kakamega Homeboyz), John Avire (Sofapaka), Masud Juma (Libya), Ochieng Ovella (IF Vasalund, Sweden), and Chris Mbamba (IK Oddevold, Sweden).
Migne’s squad blends seasoned internationals with younger talents, aiming to provide balance, tactical flexibility, and depth across all positions. With Victor Wanyama’s leadership central to the team’s midfield, Kenya will look to combine experience from Europe-based players with the domestic talent to navigate a challenging group. The upcoming training camp and friendlies in France will be critical for building team cohesion, testing tactical setups, and finalizing the starting eleven ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
As the Harambee Stars prepare to face heavyweights Senegal and Algeria, along with Tanzania, the squad reflects Migne’s strategy of combining reliability and versatility. By mixing domestic league players with seasoned internationals, Kenya hopes to present a competitive team capable of advancing from Group C and making a strong showing in the tournament. The inclusion of players like Christopher Mbamba and Ochieng Ovella suggests an emphasis on adaptability, while Wanyama’s presence ensures leadership and experience to guide the squad through the challenges of Africa’s premier continental competition.
