McCarthy names provisional squad for Afcon 2027 qualifiers

Wangaya of Nairobi United starred in the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations where he was named in the Group Stage Best 11 while Millard plies his trade for EFL League Two club Swindon Town, with Ochieng currently on the books of US-based club Hickory FC.

Head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 38-man provisional squad that also includes Celta Vigo attacking midfielder Aldrine Kibet as Harambee Stars prepare to host Eritrea on Saturday, 26 September at Nyayo Stadium before travelling to Conakry to face Guinea at Stade du 28 Septembre on October 1.

Wangaya earns his first ever call up following a stellar performance in the Kenya Premier League with Nairobi United, where his composure, vision and midfield mastery cemented his reputation as one of local football’s finest talents.

McCarthy’s inclusion of the debutant trio underscores a deliberate policy to reward standout club form both locally and across foreign leagues, providing the new faces an immediate opportunity to establish themselves in the senior setup.

Complementing the fresh call-ups is the Spanish-based teenage duo of Aldrine Kibet and Amos Wanjala, who bring high-level European academy experience to the national squad.

Kibet, the 2023 CECAFA U18 golden boot winner, joins former Rising Stars captain Wanjala who is now continuing his defensive development at Valencia CF alongside Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng to spearhead an exciting generational shift.

Kenya will kick off their Group D campaign at home against Eritrea on September 26 at the Nyayo National Stadium, before embarking on a West African trip to face Guinea at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry on October 1.

Despite the youthful surge, the South African tactician has anchored the team with experienced core leadership led by captain Michael Olunga currently playing for Qatar side Al-Arabi, defender Joseph Okumu of Stade Reims and veteran left-back Abud Omar who recently led Kenya Premier League side Tusker to FKF Super Cup glory.

On the domestic front, record Premier League champions Gor Mahia lead all clubs with six inclusions: goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, defenders Michael Kibagwe, Paul Ochuoga, and Frank Odhiambo, alongside attackers Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley.

While Kenya has already secured automatic qualification for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, McCarthy is treating the Group D fixtures as crucial competitive testing grounds to build a championship-caliber team ahead of the tournament on home soil.

Full provisional squad:

GoalKeepers

Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikalo, Ian Otieno ,Brian Bwire, Caleb Kramer

Defenders

Manzur Okwaro, Stanley Wilson, Abud Omar, Joseph Okumu, Amos Wanjala, Frank Odhiambo, Daniel Ayembe, Deon Woodman, Michael Kibwage, Rooney Onyango, Paul Ochuoga, Hannif Wesonga

Midfielders

Zak Vyner, Timothy Ouma,Kevin Wangaya, Chris Erambo, Duke Abuya, Marvin Nambwire, Austin Odhiambo, Zech Obiero, William Lenkupae, Aldrine Kibet

Attackers

Mohammed Bajaber,Sharif Musa, Ben Stanley, Job Ochieng, Adam Wilson, Javan Ochieng, Louis Millard, Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam , Micah Obiero, Lawrence Okoth.