Kenya's AFCON 2027 Qualifying Squad: McCarthy Names His First Group With Olunga as Captain
Photo: CAF
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has named his squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Eritrea and Guinea, with captain Michael Olunga leading the attack.
Kenya are already through to AFCON PAMOJA 2027 as co-hosts, but that hasn't stopped coach Benni McCarthy from treating the opening qualifiers like they matter — because for his own build towards the tournament they do.
McCarthy has named 24 players for the Harambee Stars' first two qualifying fixtures: at home to Eritrea on 26 September, then away to Guinea on 1 October. Captain Michael Olunga, who plays for Al-Arabi in Qatar, leads an eight-man attacking group that also includes Gor Mahia pair Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley, plus overseas options Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège) and Micah Obiero (Carlisle United).
Otieno misses the final cut
One of the more notable omissions is Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who featured in McCarthy's preliminary 38-man squad but didn't survive the trim. McCarthy has instead gone with three locally based goalkeepers — Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United) and Brian Bwire (Tusker).
Midfield and defence
Charlton Athletic's Timothy Ouma anchors a five-man midfield alongside Stade Reims' Manzur Okwaro, Tusker's Chris Erambo, Young Africans' Duke Abuya and Power Dynamos' Marvin Nabwire.
The defence blends local and overseas talent: Gor Mahia duo Michael Kibagwe and Frank Odhiambo, Sogndal's Rooney Onyango, AIK's Stanley Wilson, Valencia's Amos Wanjala and Exeter City's Vincent Harper.
Why Kenya are playing qualifiers they don't need
Kenya's spot at PAMOJA 2027 is locked in as co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda. But McCarthy has been clear the Harambee Stars are using the qualifying window as competitive preparation — six matches against Eritrea and Guinea before Kenya has to turn its attention to hosting duties. It also means Kenyan fans get to watch a settled group of players build understanding well before the tournament itself begins.
Full Kenya squad
Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United), Brian Bwire (Tusker)
Defenders: Michael Kibagwe (Gor Mahia), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus), Stanley Wilson (AIK), Abud Omar (Tusker), Amos Wanjala (Valencia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Vincent Harper (Exeter City)
Midfielders: Manzur Okwaro (Stade Reims), Timothy Ouma (Charlton Athletic), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Duke Abuya (Young Africans), Marvin Nabwire (Power Dynamos)
Forwards: Sharif Musa (Gor Mahia), Mohammed Bajaber (unattached), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Javan Ochieng (Hickory FC), Micah Obiero (Carlisle United), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège), Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi)
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Squad information sourced from CAF's official announcement, 18 September 2026.
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