Aboud Omar axed - Photo Credit - FKF Media.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has recalled striker Elvis Rupia of Singida BlackStars to the national team ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia.
Another player recalled is defender Brian Mandela, who previously played for Premier Soccer League outfit Mamelodi Sundowns, but moved to Stellenbosch FC. Apart from Mandela, other players from the South African league include goalkeeping duo of Ian Otieno, a regular at Richards Bay and Brian Bwire of Polokwane City.
Meanwhile, Aboud Omar, who captained the team during the invitational Mapinduzi Cup tournament in Zanzibar early January, has been dropped alongside goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who recently signed a two-year deal to join Kakamega Homeboyz.
Photo Credit - FKF Media.
Kenya will first face Gambia on Thursday, March 20, at the Stade Alasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast. Following their match against Gambia, the team will return home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23.
Full provisional squad;
Goalkeepers; Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
Defenders; Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Raków Częstochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz fc), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Midfielders; Musa Katibi (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (Mara Sugar FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners).
Forwards; Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al – Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC).
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