By Brian Magiri
Engin Firat, Kenya’s national football team head coach, has announced a 28-man provisional squad ahead of two crucial matches against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers scheduled for October 11 and 14 in Yaounde and Uganda respectively.
The squad features a mix of local and international players and is highlighted by the inclusion of captain Michael Olunga who missed the team’s previous matches against Namibia and Zimbabwe due to injury.
Among the international players selected are French-based Joseph Okumu who plays for Ligue 1 outfit Reims, Daniel Anyembe from Viborg FF, Alfred Scriven of Norway’s Raufoss IL and Johnstone Omurwa who recently signed with Saudi Arabia Division 1 outfit Abha.
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Local talent includes Gor Mahia’s pentagon of Austine Odhiambo, Geoffrey ‘Simiti’ Ochieng, Alphonse Omija, Sylvester Owino and Rooney Onyango as well as goalkeepers Patrick Matasi from Kenya Police and Byrne Omondi from Bandari FC.
David Odoyo from Tusker has received his first national team call-up with Sydney Lokale from AFC Leopards also added to the squad.
Ulinzi Stars winger Boniface Muchiri has also earned a rare call-up to the squad
Former Gor Mahia player Benson Omalla who recently moved to the war-torn Lebanon and Ayub Timbe did not make the provisional list.
Training for the team is set to begin on Friday, October 4 ahead of the back-to-back matches.
The first leg will take place on October 11 at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon followed by the return leg on October 14 at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda which will be played behind closed doors.
Harambee Stars Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC)
Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police)
Byrne Omondi (Bandari)
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Defenders
Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)
Daniel Anyembe (Viborg)
Amos Nondi (Ararat)
Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia)
Johnstone Omurwa (Abha)
Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina)
Joseph Okumu (Reims)
Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia)
Eric Ouma (Rakow)
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Midfielders
David Odoyo (Tusker)
Chrispine Erambo (Tusker)
Richard Odada (Dundee United)
John Ochieng (Zanaco)
Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg)
Anthony Akumu (Kheybar)
Duke Abuya (Yanga)
Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia)
Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)
Forwards
John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid)
Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman)
Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland)
Adam Wilson (New Saints)
Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards)
Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK)
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