Benni McCarthy Unveils 23-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers vs Gambia 

The Harambee Stars are set to embark on a pivotal journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup as head coach Benni McCarthy unveiled a 23-man squad ahead of their crucial qualifier against Gambia.

The match is scheduled to take place on March 20 at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast, due to Gambia's home ground not meeting the hosting requirements set by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Having conducted his first training session on March 12, McCarthy expressed excitement about the potential within the squad, adding that the young players are gaining invaluable experience heading into these critical matches.

Although some key players are missing, McCarthy remains optimistic about his team's capabilities. 

The selected squad includes a mix of veterans and rising stars. In goal, Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, and Faruk Shikhalo will defend the net. The defensive lineup features Jonestone Omurwa, Brian Mandela, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Erick Ouma, Manzur Okwaro, and Ronny Onyango. The midfield boasts talents like Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Ismael Gonzalez, Timothy Ouma, and Eric Johana, along with Duke Abuya, Mohammed Bajaber, and Ben Stanley Omondi. Up front, the team will rely on the striking prowess of Masud Juma, Jonah Ayunga, Elvis Rupia, John Avire, and star forward Michael Olunga.

Kenya's road to qualification began with a challenging loss to Gabon, where they fell 2-1 despite initially leading thanks to Juma's goal. However, they quickly regrouped, overpowering Seychelles in a stunning 5-0 victory, spearheaded by Olunga’s brace and contributions from Juma and other key players.