Harambee Stars Squad 2026: Players, Fixtures, Results and AFCON 2027

Harambee Stars squad are preparing for two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against South Africa on 13 and 17 November, with head coach Benni McCarthy refining Kenya’s squad after the initial 36-player provisional announcement. The selection follows a 1–1 draw with Eritrea and a 1–0 defeat to Guinea, giving the national team another chance to assess its players and competitive form before the tournament Kenya will co-host.

Harambee Stars have already qualified for AFCON 2027 as one of the three host nations. The November matches still count towards the Group D standings, while squad selection, player development and the results against South Africa will help shape Kenya’s preparations for the finals.

Benni McCarthy named a 36-player provisional Harambee Stars squad on 29 October for the South Africa double-header. His original list included captain Michael Olunga, Joseph Okumu, Ian Otieno, Alpha Onyango and younger players such as Aldrine Kibet and Kevin Wangaya.

Reporting published on 6 November indicates that the selection has since been reduced for the two matches. The reported changes include the omission of Gor Mahia players Alpha Onyango and Michael Kibwage, while Byrne Omondi, Frank Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino and Ben Stanley remain involved. The Football Kenya Federation’s publicly accessible squad announcement consulted for this report still lists the earlier provisional players, so those initial names should not be mistaken for a confirmed matchday squad.

The distinction matters: the provisional selection shows the players considered, while the final travelling group determines who is available for the November fixtures. The full list and any further changes should be established through the federation’s latest release.

The original Harambee Stars selection mixed established senior internationals with locally developed and overseas-based players. Michael Olunga brings centre-forward experience, while Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma and Rooney Onyango were among the defenders named in the provisional pool.

At domestic level, players linked to the SportPesa League, including Alpha Onyango and Ben Stanley, have been part of the selection discussion. Young prospects such as Aldrine Kibet and Kevin Wangaya were also included provisionally, connecting senior-team recruitment with Kenya’s youth national-team pathway. Inclusion in the provisional pool does not guarantee a place in the final squad or starting XI.

Kenya’s next AFCON 2027 Group D fixtures are home-and-away matches against South Africa in November. The first meeting takes place in Johannesburg on Friday, 13 November; the return is at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, 17 November, with the home kickoff scheduled for 7:00 pm East Africa Time.

South Africa have also named their players for the international window. Review the South Africa squad for the Kenya qualifiers to see the opposition’s confirmed selections.

Harambee Stars collected one point from their opening two AFCON 2027 Group D qualifiers. Kenya drew 1–1 with Eritrea at Nyayo Stadium on 26 September and lost 1–0 away to Guinea on 1 October. A subsequent friendly against Rwanda ended 0–0 on 5 October.

The Guinea vs Kenya match report records the second qualifying defeat, while the Rwanda friendly report covers Kenya’s next outing. These results explain why goalscoring efficiency and defensive organisation remain relevant questions for the November squad.

Harambee Stars compete in AFCON 2027 qualifying Group D with South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea. After the opening two matchdays, Kenya had one point and South Africa had six, having won both of their games. The group table will change as the remaining fixtures are played.

Kenya’s tournament place is already secured because the country will co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Under CAF’s qualification rules, only the highest-placed non-host side in Group D will qualify alongside Kenya. That means the group standings still matter, even though Kenya cannot lose its finals place through these results.

For the full group structure and opponents, read the Harambee Stars AFCON 2027 Group D draw. For changing match scores, fixtures and supported competition information, use SportPesa Score.

McCarthy’s November selections provide a practical test of the balance between senior experience, domestic form and developing talent. South Africa’s two matches offer an opportunity to compare Kenya’s defensive structure and attacking output against a side that won both of its opening Group D fixtures.

With the finals taking place from 19 June to 17 July 2027, the immediate priority is to build a competitive, settled team. The results against South Africa, rather than the size of an initial provisional list, will offer a clearer indication of progress.

Harambee Stars held 1–1 by Eritrea in AFCON 2027 qualifying

Previous Harambee Stars squad: Olunga and new faces named for September qualifiers

Harambee Stars enter the South Africa double-header with their AFCON 2027 qualification already assured, but with important questions about the final squad, recent results and preparations still to answer. Kenya’s upcoming fixtures and Group D performances will provide the next meaningful measure of the team under Benni McCarthy. Follow SportPesa Kenya’s football coverage for new squad announcements and verified match reports as the campaign continues.