Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy this morning, September 26, 2025, unveiled his final squad for Kenya’s last two fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The matches, both to be played away, will see Kenya face Burundi on October 9, 2025, at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura, before concluding their campaign against the Ivory Coast on October 14 at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
The 23-man squad reflects McCarthy’s strategy of blending tested internationals with emerging talent.
In goal, the coach has kept faith with Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi and Brian Bwire, giving the team a mix of experience and sharp reflexes between the posts.
The defensive unit is anchored by Manzur Suleiman, Vincent Harper, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Abud Omar and Daniel Sakari. Among them, Harper, who plays his club football in England, will be keen to make his mark in national colours, while the likes of Sichenje and Sakari bring valuable consistency to the backline.
In midfield, McCarthy has called up Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire and Austine Odhiambo. This group provides a creative and hardworking core, with Ouma and Odhiambo expected to dictate the tempo and Stanley adding depth to the engine room.
The wing options include William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng and Boniface Muchiri, all of whom bring pace and width to stretch opponents and supply the forward line.
Leading the attack are proven goal scorer Michael Olunga, alongside Ryan Ogam and Lawrence Okoth.
Olunga remains the talisman, while Okoth’s inclusion follows his breakthrough performance at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he scored twice for the junior side.
Currently sitting fifth in their group with nine points, Kenya’s chances of qualification are slim, but McCarthy has emphasized the importance of finishing on a high.
“These fixtures are about more than standings; they are about pride, building experience and laying foundations for the future,” McCarthy said.
The squad will assemble in camp in early October for medical and fitness assessments before the final travelling list is confirmed.
With a mix of veteran leaders and rising stars, McCarthy hopes to inspire spirited performances that reflect Kenya’s growing ambitions on the continental stage