Harambee Stars begin new era under Benni McCarthy with AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Harambee Stars begin new era under Benni McCarthy with AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

By Angwang’o Valentine (Football Analyst)

Harambee Stars are set for an important international window as head coach Benni McCarthy names his 24-man squad for Kenya's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 Qualifying Matches against Eritrea and Guinea. The squad represents another step in McCarthy's efforts to build a competitive national team as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 continental showpiece alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The squad has attracted considerable attention with the return of captain and established striker Michael Olunga, who brings considerable international experience and a proven goalscoring record to the team. His return provides McCarthy with an experienced attacking option as Harambee Stars prepare for their first competitive assignments under his leadership. Olunga is joined in attack by Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad, Micah Obiero of Carlisle United, Ryan Ogam of RFC Liège, Javan Ochieng of Hickory FC, Sharif Musa, Ben Stanley Omondi of Gor Mahia and Mohammed Bajaber. The inclusion of Javan Ochieng is particularly notable, with the youngster receiving his first senior call-up after impressing in the United States.

McCarthy has also maintained a mixture of domestic and international experience across the rest of the squad. The goalkeeping department features Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo and Brian Bwire, while the defensive options include Michael Kibagwe, Rooney Onyango, Hannif Wesonga, Stanley Wilson, Abud Omar, Amos Wanjala, Frank Odhiambo and Vincent Harper.

In midfield, McCarthy has selected Manzur Okwaro, Timothy Ouma, Chris Erambo, Duke Abuya and Marvin Nabwire. The squad therefore combines players from the FKF Premier League with Kenyans competing in foreign leagues, giving the coach a broad group from which to develop his preferred tactical system.

The first test comes on September 26 when Kenya hosts Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium. The match will provide McCarthy with his first opportunity to see his selected players compete in a competitive AFCON qualifying environment. Harambee Stars will then travel to Guinea for another challenging encounter on October 1 at Stade du 28 September in Conakry.

The two matches are particularly important for McCarthy as he continues to assess his players and establish the foundations of his team. With several new faces in the squad, the fixtures will provide opportunities for players to demonstrate their ability to adapt to the coach's tactical approach while competing for regular places in the national team.

Kenya's position in the AFCON 2027 qualification campaign is also unusual. As one of the three host nations, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, Kenya has already secured its place at the 2027 tournament. The qualification matches consequently provide an important competitive platform for preparation rather than simply being about securing a place in the finals.

For McCarthy, the matches against Eritrea and Guinea will therefore be about much more than the results. They will offer an opportunity to assess the depth of the squad, build combinations between experienced and emerging players, and identify the core group that can carry Harambee Stars into the 2027 AFCON tournament.

With Michael Olunga back in the fold, promising youngsters receiving opportunities and a blend of domestic and overseas-based players forming the squad, attention now turns to Nyayo National Stadium. The September 26 meeting with Eritrea will mark the beginning of another chapter for Harambee Stars under McCarthy, before the team faces Guinea five days later.

As Kenya looks ahead to hosting Africa's premier football tournament in 2027, the upcoming fixtures provide an early glimpse of the direction McCarthy intends to take the national team and the players who could become central to his plans.