Benni McCarthy, head coach of the Kenya national team, on Tuesday unveiled a 48-man provisional squad for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia.
McCarthy has named his first squad since he was appointed Harambee Stars head coach earlier this month.
The 47-year-old has included a mix of young and established players in the squad as Kenya prepares for two crucial qualifying fixtures.
McCarthy has called upon goalkeepers Brian Opondo and Brian Bwire, defenders Joseph Okumu, Collins Sichenje, and the Gor Mahia trio of Sylvester Owino, Ronney Onyango, and Alphonce Omija.
In midfield, the South African has called upon youngsters Kelly Madada of AFC LEOPARDS and Andreas Odhiambo of Kariobangi Sharks in the squad, while Australia-based midfielder William Lenkupae was handed his first call-up.
Captain Michael Olunga leads the list of invited forwards; former Shabana striker Mathew Tegisi gets a first call-up alongside Edward Omondi and Elvis Rupia.
McCarthy will begin training on Wednesday, 12 March, with home-based players as the Harambee Stars, fourth in Group F with five points, sit five points behind leaders Ivory Coast.
Kenya faces the Gambia on Thursday, 20 March, at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast before hosting Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi three days later.
Kenya’s full 48-man Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Raków Częstochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz fc), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Midfielders: Musa Katibi (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (Mara Sugar FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners).
Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al – Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC).
