- Benni McCarthy explained why Mohamed and Eric Ouma did not make the Harambee Stars final squad for the World Cup Qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles in September.
- The squad features 13 players who impressed in the recent CHAN 2024 tournament, blending local standouts with international experience.
- Kenya will host The Gambia on Friday, September 5, 2025, and face Seychelles on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, with both fixtures set for Kasarani Stadium.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed the reason behind excluding two key players from his final squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles.
The Harambee Stars 23-man lineup features a dynamic blend of both local and internationally based talent, with 13 players from the recent historic CHAN 2024 campaign earning call-ups.
While the likes of Ryan Ogam, Boniface Muchiri, and Manzur Okwaro were retained, McCarthy delivered a surprise by omitting notable figures such as Austine Odhambo, who scored twice at CHAN 2024, Simba’s Mohamed Bajaber and Polish-based Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.
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McCarthy explains Harambee Stars final squad omissions
However, responding to fan inquiries regarding the absence of Ouma, a key left back for Raków CzÄ™stochowa considered one of the squad’s finest fullbacks, McCarthy clarified that the former Gor Mahia man was sidelined due to an Achilles tendon operation.
“Ouma is injured. Achilles tendon operation,” he replied to a fan on Instagram.
Ouma had excelled in Kenya’s prior World Cup qualifier against Gabon, a 2-1 defeat at Nyayo Stadium where he displayed immense individual quality and unbeatable work rate, drawing praise from the fans.
As for Bajaber, the former Manchester United first-team coach confirmed the midfielder is still undergoing rehabilitation from injury and is therefore unavailable for selection.
“Bajaber is still recovering from injury,” he posted.
Who are the other inclusions besides the 13 retained players?
Aside from the 13 players retained from the CHAN squad, the team will be captained by prolific striker Michael Olunga.
Rising talent Job Ochieng, who plies his trade with Real Sociedad B, has earned his maiden senior national team call-up.
They are joined by Richard Odada, Brian Bwire, Collins Sichenje, Emmanuel Osoro, Timothy Babu Ouma, Duke Abuya, and William Lekupae.
Harambee Stars final squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles
Goalkeepers
Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire
Defenders
Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Aboud Omar, Lewis Bandi
Midfielders
Richard Odada, Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Manzur Suleiman, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley Omondi, Marvin Nabwire
Wingers
Emmanuel Osoro, William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri
Strikers
Michael Olunga (Captain), Ryan Ogam
Previous World Cup Qualifier results for Harambee Stars
- Gabon 2-1 Kenya
- Seychelles 0-5 Kenya
- Kenya 1-1 Burundi
- Kenya 0-0 Ivory Coast
- The Gambia 3-3 Kenya
- Kenya 1-2 Gabon