McCarthy names Harambee Stars final squad for AFCON 2027 opening qualifiers
By Joel Masibo, September 16, 2026Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named his final squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers against Eritrea and Guinea, with a blend of locally based players and Kenyan internationals plying their trade abroad.
The squad features 22 players, with Gor Mahia providing the highest number of representatives.
Gor Mahia goalkeeper Bryne Omondi leads the goalkeeping department alongside Faruk Shikhalo of Nairobi United and Tusker’s Brian Bwire.
The defensive unit consists of Michael Kibagwe and Frank Odhiambo of Gor Mahia, Sogndal’s Rooney Onyango, Hannif Wesonga of Jamus, Stanley Wilson of AIK, Tusker’s Abud Omar, Valencia defender Amos Wanjala and Vincent Harper of Exeter City.
In midfield, McCarthy has selected Stade Reims’ Manzur Okwaro, Timothy Ouma of Charlton Athletic, Tusker midfielder Chris Erambo, Duke Abuya of Yanga and Power Dynamos midfielder Marvin Nabwire.
The attack is headlined by Al-Arabi forward Michael Olunga, who is joined by Gor Mahia’s Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley, Real Sociedad’s Job Ochieng, Javan Ochieng of Hickory FC, Micah Obiero of Carlisle United and RFC Liège forward Ryan Ogam.
Mohammed Bajaber is also listed among the forwards, although the poster identifies him as unattached.
The selection provides McCarthy with a mixture of experienced internationals and players based in different leagues, as Kenya continues its preparations for the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
Olunga remains one of the most prominent names in the squad, while the inclusion of players such as Timothy Ouma, Job Ochieng, Rooney Onyango and Vincent Harper highlights the coach’s reliance on Kenyan players competing outside the country.
Harambee Stars will welcome Eritrea in Group D on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Nyayo National Stadium before playing Guinea away in Conakry on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry. Kenya was placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea in the draw for the PAMOJA 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
With the matches against Eritrea and Guinea coming in quick succession, Harambee Stars will be seeking a strong start in a group that also contains South Africa. However, Kenya has already qualified for the 2027 AFCON by the virtue of being a hosting nation alongside Tanzania and Uganda.