Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has explained why some key players have been left out of the squad ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Seychelles and The Gambia next month.
Among the notable absentees are African Nations Championship (CHAN) star Austine Odhiambo and international players Mohamed Bajaber, Jonah Ayunga, and Erick Marcelo Ouma, as McCarthy named a 23-man squad for the qualifiers.
Captain Michael Olunga, who missed the friendly matches against Chad in May due to injury, makes a return alongside Brian Bwire, Collins Sichenje, Rooney Onyango, Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Emmanuel Osoro, and Will Lenkupae.
McCarthy Explains Why Harambee Stars’ Marcelo, Bajaber Are Out of the Squad
While responding to concerns raised by Kenyans on Instagram, McCarthy said Bajaber, who is training with Simba, is yet to fully recover from injury.
Mohammed Bajaber exited the Harambee Stars CHAN 2024 training camp shortly before the tournament to finalise a move to Simba SC, where he was officially unveiled on Saturday, August 2.
He also explained that seasoned left-back Marcelo Ouma, who plays in Sweden, has been ruled out after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon. Ouma was forced off the field after just six minutes while playing for his Polish club, Raków Częstochowa, earlier this month.
His energy and attacking threat on the flank will be greatly missed, with McCarthy admitting that the defender’s absence leaves “a big hole” in his tactical setup.
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The 28-year-old currently features for Raków Częstochowa, having joined them in January 2024 after leaving Swedish club AIK, where he made 104 appearances over four seasons.
Ouma made his debut for Raków on January 27 in a friendly against Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.
The coach, however, did not address concerns over why Austin Omondi was dropped from the squad.
Harambee Stars World Cup Qualifiers Squad
In goal, Bryne Omondi (Gor Mahia) and Farouk Shikhalo (Bandari) have retained their places, joined by Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
The defence includes Gor Mahia’s quartet of Sylvester Owino, Alphonse Omija, Michael Kibwage, and Lewis Bandi, alongside Rooney Onyango, Kenya Police veteran Aboud Omar, and Serbian-based Collins Sichenje.
The midfield features Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), rising star Mansur Okwaro (KCB), Ben Stanley Omondi (Gor Mahia), and Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police).
Other listed are Richard Odada (Dundee United), and Europe-based Timothy “Noor” Ouma, currently on loan at Lech Poznań from Slavia Prague.
Leading the attack is Michael Olunga, who plays for Qatari side Al-Arabi SC, joined by Ryan Ogam (Tusker), Emmanuel Osoro (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Will Lenkupae, Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), and teenage striker Job Ochieng, who plays for Real Sociedad B.
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Goalkeepers
Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire, Byrne Omondi
Defenders
Sylvester Owino, Alphonse Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Rooney Onyango, Abud Omar, Lewis Bandi
Midfielders
Richard Odada, Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Mansur Okwaro, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire
Forwards
Emmanuel Osoro, Will Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri, Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam
Kenya sits fourth in Group F and faces an uphill task in their quest for a maiden World Cup appearance, trailing leaders Ivory Coast by ten points. The team will first play The Gambia before meeting Seychelles in their second qualifier.
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Photo of Harambee Stars players during the CHAN quarterfinal match against Madagascar in 2025. PHOTO/CAF
