Harambee Stars left-back Abud Omar has opened up about being excluded from Benni McCarthy’s first squad as the national team head coach.
Omar is among the seasoned Harambee Stars players who were not included in McCarthy’s 45-man provisional squad nor in the final squad that will face Gambia and Gabon in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers slated for March.
Notably, in McCarthy’s final squad, only five local players made the cut in a 23-man team.
These include goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo (Bandari), defenders Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia) and Manzur Okwaro (KCB) along with midfielders Ben Stanley Omondi (Gor Mahia) and Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police).
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over Ksh 407 SportPesa Mega Jackpot
No bad blood for Abud Omar
However, despite being omitted, Omar is not taking this as a negative action. Instead, he sees it as a challenge to push himself harder to ensure he earns a call-up next time.
“As a player, you need to have a target. I have been part of the national team for almost 13 years and whenever I get a call-up, I’m still happy. Even when I’m not selected, it motivates me to work harder for the next cap.
It’s a normal part of it. Right now, I didn’t make the cut, but I have to work even harder. I can’t just sit and complain. I have to prove myself again to be called up,” Omar told SportPesa Blog in an exclusive interview.
ALSO READ: Safari Rally Kenya 2025: Stages, changes made, schedule & where to watch
He further explained that he has not been given any specific reason for his exclusion and doesn’t believe there’s any particular cause for it.
“No, I haven’t been given any explanation for my omission and I don’t think there is need for one. The coach makes his own decisions and I have to respect that.
My job is to work harder, for example, I assisted a goal (against Murang’a Seal) and that’s how it should be. It’s all about staying focused and pushing myself further,” he said.
Omar’s most recent national team appearance was in the Mapinduzi Cup earlier this year in January where he captained the team.
The 32-year-old has been a regular presence in the national team since 2013.
Many had expected him to be included in McCarthy’s first squad but he was not.
Other notable exclusions from the squad, who many had expected to make the cut include Kenya’s Most Valuable Player Austin Odhiambo as well as his teammates Sylvester Owino and Alphonce Omija.
Additionally, Stade de Reims defender Joseph Okumu conspicuously missed from the final squad.
Harambee Stars Final Squad
Goalkeepers
- Ian Otieno
- Brian Bwire
- Faruk Shikhalo
Defenders
- Jonestone Omurwa
- Brian Mandela
- Daniel Anyembe
- Amos Nondi
- Erick Ouma
- Manzur Okwaro
- Ronny Onyango
Midfielders
- Anthony Akumu
- Richard Odada
- Ismael Gonzalez
- Timothy Ouma
- Eric Johana
- Duke Abuya
- Mohammed Bajaber
- Ben Stanley Omondi
Forwards
- Masud Juma
- Jonah Ayunga
- Elvis Rupia
- John Avire
- Michael Olunga