Benni McCarthy names provisional Kenya squad for AFCON qualifiers against Eritrea and Guinea

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 38-man provisional squad for the Harambee Stars’ opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

McCarthy has included several experienced players in his squad as Kenya prepare to face Eritrea at home before travelling to Guinea for their second Group D fixture. The coach has also continued to widen his options by including a number of emerging players from clubs in Kenya and abroad.

Kenya will begin their campaign against Eritrea at the Nyayo National Stadium on 26 September before travelling to Conakry to face Guinea at the Stade du 28 Septembre on 1 October.

The qualifiers form part of the build-up to the 2027 AFCON finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Despite Kenya’s status as one of the host nations, McCarthy’s side are taking the qualifying matches seriously as the South African seeks to build a competitive team ahead of the tournament.

Olunga returns to the squad

One of the biggest talking points from McCarthy’s selection is the return of captain Michael Olunga.

The experienced striker is back in the national-team setup after recovering from a lengthy injury lay-off. His return gives McCarthy an established focal point in attack and restores one of Kenya’s most important leaders ahead of the qualifiers.

Olunga is joined by vice-captain Joseph Okumu, who also makes his return after an extended spell on the sidelines. Okumu’s availability provides McCarthy with additional experience and quality in central defence.

The inclusion of the two senior players is particularly significant as McCarthy begins his competitive campaign with Kenya, with the coach expected to combine established internationals with younger players who can form part of the team’s longer-term plans.

Squad includes players from Europe and Africa

McCarthy’s provisional squad contains players based across several leagues, underlining the breadth of options available to the Harambee Stars.

Goalkeeping duties could be contested by Byrne Omondi of Gor Mahia, Faruk Shikhalo of Nairobi United, Ian Otieno of Richards Bay, Brian Bwire of Tusker and Caleb Kramer of ADO Den Haag.

In defence, McCarthy has selected Daniel Ayembe of Viborg FF, Deon Woodman of Bromley, Michael Kibagwe and Frank Odhiambo of Gor Mahia, Rooney Onyango of Sogndal, Paul Ochuoga of Gor Mahia and Hannif Wesonga of Jamus.

The defensive group is completed by Manzur Okwaro and Joseph Okumu of Stade Reims, Stanley Wilson of AIK, Abud Omar of Tusker and Amos Wanjala of Valencia.

The midfield options include Zak Vyner of Wrexham, Timothy Ouma of Charlton Athletic, Kevin Wangaya of Nairobi United, Chris Erambo and Duke Abuya of Tusker.

Marvin Nabwire of Power Dynamos, Austin Odhiambo, Zech Obiero of Leyton Orient, Will Lenkupae of Tulsa and Celta Vigo’s Aldrine Kibet are also included.

McCarthy keeps faith with attacking options

The attack features several players with experience at different levels of the game.

Mohammed Bajaber, Sharif Musa, Ben Stanley and Adam Wilson are among the forwards selected, while Job Ochieng and Jovan Ochieng are also part of the provisional group.

Louis Millard of Swindon Town, Michael Olunga of Al-Arabi, Ryan Ogam of RFC Liège, Micah Obiero of Wealdstone and Lawrence Okoth of Bandari complete the attacking options.

Kibet, who is listed among the midfielders, is another player attracting attention after earning a place in McCarthy’s plans. The Celta Vigo forward is regarded as one of the younger players Kenya hope can contribute to the national team’s next generation.

The selection reflects McCarthy’s desire to have a mixture of experience and youth, with players from Kenya’s domestic league joined by footballers based in England, Belgium, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and the United States.

Kenya drawn with South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea

The Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea.

The group presents McCarthy with an immediate test, particularly with the away trip to Guinea following the opening home fixture against Eritrea.

The qualifying campaign is also unusual because Kenya are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts. However, the qualifying matches will give McCarthy valuable competitive fixtures as he attempts to establish his preferred style and identify the players who will form the core of the team for the tournament.

The 2027 AFCON finals are scheduled to take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania making history by jointly hosting the competition.

For McCarthy, the immediate priority will be to make a strong start against Eritrea before facing the considerably demanding trip to Guinea.

The provisional squad will subsequently be trimmed before the final team for the two fixtures is confirmed.

Kenya’s 38-man provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo, Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, Caleb Kramer.

Defenders: Daniel Ayembe, Deon Woodman, Michael Kibagwe, Rooney Onyango, Paul Ochuoga, Hannif Wesonga, Manzur Okwaro, Stanley Wilson, Abud Omar, Joseph Okumu, Amos Wanjala, Frank Odhiambo.

Midfielders: Zak Vyner, Timothy Ouma, Kevin Wangaya, Chris Erambo, Duke Abuya, Marvin Nabwire, Austin Odhiambo, Zech Obiero, Will Lenkupae, Aldrine Kibet.

Forwards: Mohammed Bajaber, Sharif Musa, Ben Stanley, Job Ochieng, Adam Wilson, Jovan Ochieng, Louis Millard, Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Micah Obiero, Lawrence Okoth.