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AFC Leopards players overlooked again in Harambee Stars’ selection for June friendlies
19th May, 2026 03:13 PM
The Kenya national team coaching staff has unveiled a 24-player travelling squad for the June 2026 FIFA international break, where Harambee Stars are scheduled to play friendly matches against Palestine and Kyrgyzstan.
However, head coach Benni McCarthy has once again totally overlooked AFC Leopards’ players in his selection. Of the only five players from the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, leaders Gor Mahia is the only side with four players, as Tusker has produced only one player for the national side.
Being second on the log and firmly in the title race, AFC Leopards top brass had initially expressed frustrations by the national football team selection panel for consistently giving a cold shoulder to its players, who they argue deserve a chance to don the Harambee Stars shirts.
Ingwe players ommisions
On the matter, AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi in March 2026 lashed out at the national team technical bench for ignoring Ingwe players for the concluded 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.
”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.
FIFA friendlies
Meanwhile, a major highlight in the latest selection is the inclusion of five fresh faces who have received their maiden senior team invitations. These are defender Deon Woodman of Wealdstone FC, Hull City winger Sammy Hena-Kamau, striker Micah Obiero from Wealdstone FC, Stoke City defender Sydney Agina, and ADO Den Haag goalkeeper Caleb Kramer. Their selection reflects the technical bench’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand the squad ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
Kenya is set to take on Palestine on June 3 before facing Kyrgyzstan on June 6, with the two fixtures expected to help the team fine-tune preparations for future continental assignments.
Final squad
The squad includes three goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo, and Caleb Kramer.
In defence, the coaches selected Erick Ouma, Stanley Wilson, Sylvester Owino, Frank Odhiambo, Alphonce Omija, Deon Woodman, Rooney Onyango, and Sydney Agina.
The midfield department features Richard Odada, Chris Erambo, Clarke Odour, Will Lenkupae, Austine Odhiambo, and Zech Obiero.
Leading the attack will be Job Ochieng, Mohammed Bajaber, Ben Stanley, Sammy Hena-Kamau, Micah Obiero, Ryan Ogam, and Lawrence Okoth.
