Sports

AFC Leopards official lashes out at Harambee Stars coaches for ignoring Ingwe players

Joel Masibo 19th March, 2026 10:04 AM

AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi has lashed out at the national team technical bench for ignoring Ingwe players for the upcoming FIFA Series friendlies in Rwanda, despite the team having a fine run in the country’s top-tier league.

Speaking on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, shortly after AFC Leopards edged Nairobi United 1-0 in Round 24 of the 2025/26 Football Kenya Federation Premier League at Nyayo Stadium, Mulindi publicly admitted that the national team management hates AFC Leopards.

Victor Omune celebrating a goal for AFC Leopards. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/afcleopardssc

Mulindi breaks silence

”The truth is that these people hate us; they hate AFC Leopards. But we are telling our players to remain unbothered because it is not a must that they play for Harambee Stars; let them play. We will look for other means so that other scouts will come to assess them,’ Mulindi said.

”We are also having sleepless nights on how our players will get help, but I speak from my heart; they hate AFC Leopards. The hatred is there; we cannot be number two in the league and lack even a single player in the provisional squad, but we shall encourage our players. If they think AFC Leopards is not worth it, I pray that we win the league,” He added.

Meanwhile, Mulindi’s confession comes after the Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Series set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, between Monday, March 23, 2026, and Tuesday, March 31, 2026, international window.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy. PHOTO/@Harambee_Stars/X

The team is expected to report to the residential camp on March 22, 2026, before departing for Rwanda.

Fixtures

Kenya vs Estonia – Friday, March 27 | 6:00 pm | Amahoro Stadium

Winner M1 vs. Winner M2 (Monday, March 30 | 9:00 pm | Amahoro Stadium.

Loser M1 vs Loser M2 (March 30 | 6:00 pm | Amahoro Stadium.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire, Ian Otieno

Defenders: Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Zak Vyner (Wrexham), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police)

Midfielders: Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Richard Odada (FC Uta Arad), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Manzur Suleiman (Stade De Reims)

Attackers: Austine Odhiambo (Nejmeh), William Lenkupae (Unattached), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Mohammed Bajaber (Simba FC), Zech Obiero (Tranmere Rovers), Clarke Oduor (Grimsby Town), Michael Olunga (Al Arabi), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki)