The squad, named by the 47-year-old South African, features a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, as the team prepares for two pivotal fixtures in their qualification campaign. However, among those regulars left out include Kenya Police FC defender Aboud Omar, whose last game for the Harambee Stars was during the invitational Mapinduzi Cup tournament in Zanzibar early in January.
During the tournament, which Kenya used as part of their preparations for the postponed 2024 Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) to be co-hosted in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the left-back was sent off during the fixture against the host nation Zanzibar, which Kenya eventually lost 1-0.
Another player, who has been overlooked by McCarthy is goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, whose last game was in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier 4-1 loss to Cameroon at Japoma Stadium in Douala.
During the matchday three fixture, Matasi was blamed for the Indomitable Lions’ first and second goals, forcing the then coach for Kenya Engin Firat dropping him for subsequent qualifiers against Cameroon in the return leg which Kenya lost 1-0, the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe and the final group game against Namibia which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Matasi’s questionable performances saw him axed by his club Kenya Police FC, who are currently leading the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League table, before they later released him at the start of the mid-season transfer window.
He, however, signed a two-year contract with Kakamega Homeboyz. KCB custodian Brian Odhiambo, who played in the absence of Matasi, has also been overlooked with McCarthy settling for Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), and Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
McCarthy has also included young prospects Kelly Madada of AFC LEOPARDS and Andreas Odhiambo of Kariobangi Sharks in the squad while Australia-based midfielder William Lenkupae was handed his first call up.
Reims defender Joseph Okumu, who captained Kenya against Cameroon and Namibia in the absence of lead striker Michael Olunga, who was out injured, will lead the defensive duties alongside Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz fc), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), and Amos Nondi (Ararat).
Onyango, who was formerly at Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions Mamelodi Sundowns, last featured for Kenya in October 2023 during the 2-2 friendly draw against Russia and he boasts 39 international caps to his name since making his debut back in 2011.
In the striking area, which will be spearheaded by Olunga, the former Manchester United assistant coach, handed a debut call for former Shabana striker Mathew Tegisi, who currently plays for Tanzania Mainland Premier League outfit Pamba Jiji.
Tusker striker Ryan Ogam, who is currently topping the scorers chart in the Premier League, has also been included alongside Moses Shumah (Homeboyz), and Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), while Elvis Rupia of Singida Black Stars has been recalled.
According to McCarthy, the team will start training on Wednesday, March 12th, and he will use the opportunity to gauge the players. “Wednesday will be my first camp with local-based players to assess the quality for the upcoming CHAN and identify potential additions for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.”
Harambee Stars, who are sitting fourth in Group J with five points, will face Gambia on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ivory Coast before they return home to take on Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025. The match is scheduled to kick off at 16:00 (Kenyan time).
After playing against Gambia and Gabon, Kenya, who have never qualified for the World Cup, will have to play Gambia and Seychelles at home before travelling away to face Burundi and wind up their preliminary matches against Ivory Coast.
Provisional Kenya 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).
