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England-based duo Zak Vyner and Zech Obiero handed Harambee Stars call-ups
13th March, 2026 08:08 PM
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.
Wrexham defender Zak Vyner and Zech Obiero, who recently joined Tranmere Rovers in English League Two, have been handed call-ups and will be hoping to make their Harambee Stars debuts during the series.
The pair has spent almost the entirety of their playing career in England, with Vyner recently ending a 20-year-old association with his boyhood club, Bristol City, to join championship side, Wrexham FC.
Obiero, meanwhile, received a call-up for Kenya U20 team for the 2025 AFCON U20 games but did not make up Salim Babu’s final squad.
The youngster has been on fine form after switching to League Two, where he has found the back of the net multiple times for the struggling outfit.
Another notable inclusion is Clarke Oduor of Grimsby Town FC, who returns to the national team fold after a lengthy absence.
South African custodian Ian Otieno also makes a return to the national team fold after missing recent call-ups.
The former Ingwe keeper will be joined by Brian Bwire and Gor Mahia’s Byrne Omondi.
Kenya heads to the FIFA series window after being drawn in a competitive group alongside European side Estonia, Caribbean nation Grenada and regional rivals Rwanda.
The series will allow Harambee Stars an opportunity to build squad chemistry while offering players exposure against teams from different footballing regions.
The test matches will also provide Kenya with valuable preparation time as the national team ramps up preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
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)
