Benni McCarthy has fired the starting gun on Kenya’s road to AFCON 2027 – and his latest squad announcement has delivered everything Harambee Stars fans could have hoped for… except if you are an AFC Leopards fan.
The South African tactician has named a 38-man provisional squad for Kenya’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Eritrea and Guinea, blending established leaders with an exciting wave of young talent.
Captain Michael Olunga is back. Vice-captain Joseph Okumu returns. And, perhaps most intriguingly, three players have received their first-ever senior Harambee Stars call-ups.
Kenya will host Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on September 26 before travelling to Conakry to face Guinea at the Stade du 28 Septembre on October 1. The Stars have been drawn alongside Eritrea, Guinea and South Africa in Group D.
The biggest name on McCarthy’s list is undoubtedly Michael Olunga.
The Harambee Stars captain has returned after recovering from a pelvic injury that sidelined him earlier this year, and his comeback could hardly have been better timed. The Al-Arabi striker recently returned to club action and found the net against former club Al-Duhail, putting himself firmly back into contention for Kenya.
With 34 goals in 69 appearances for the national team, Olunga remains Kenya’s most proven weapon in front of goal.
But this time, the captain walks into a squad with more competition than ever before.
Ryan Ogam, Mohammed Bajaber, Job Ochieng, Lawrence Okoth and Micah Obiero are among the attacking options pushing for minutes: giving McCarthy a fascinating selection headache ahead of the two fixtures.
Three debutants, three different stories
While Olunga’s return has grabbed the headlines, McCarthy’s willingness to introduce fresh blood could be the most significant takeaway from the squad.
Kevin Wangaya, Louis Millard and Javan Ochieng have all earned maiden senior call-ups.
Wangaya’s rise has been particularly impressive. The Nairobi United midfielder caught the eye during Kenya’s U20 AFCON campaign in 2025, where he scored against Nigeria and earned a place in the tournament’s Group Stage Best XI.
Millard arrives from English football, with the 17-year-old Swindon Town attacker offering another exciting option for the future.
Meanwhile, Kisumu-born midfielder Javan Ochieng has earned his opportunity after progressing through the American collegiate and pre-professional football system.
Three new names. Three completely different journeys. But one enormous opportunity: Harambee Stars.
The squad also underlines McCarthy’s determination to build beyond the present.
Celta Vigo’s Aldrine Kibet, Valencia-linked defender Amos Wanjala, Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng and Nairobi United’s Wangaya are among the young talents representing a changing generation within Kenyan football.
Yet experience has not been sacrificed.
Joseph Okumu brings leadership and European experience at the back, while Abud Omar, Duke Abuya, Austin Odhiambo and Olunga provide a familiar spine.
It is a squad designed for today: but with one eye firmly fixed on the future.
But where are the AFC Leopards stars?
McCarthy’s selections have also sparked debate among Harambee Stars supporters, with several fans questioning the absence of AFC Leopards players who have impressed in the domestic game.
Kelly Madada and Tyson Otieno are among the names supporters have been asking about, while fans have also raised questions online about the absence of other AFC Leopards players.
Madada’s omission is particularly notable, having previously earned a call-up during the June international window, while Tyson’s absence has also fuelled debate among supporters over McCarthy’s creative options.
For now, however, McCarthy has placed his faith in the players included in his provisional squad. With a final selection still to be made, competition for places remains wide open, and the debate over who deserves to wear the Harambee Stars shirt is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Kenya are already guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
That does not make these qualifiers meaningless.
CAF’s format means Kenya will still play all six qualifying matches, with only the highest-ranked non-host nation from Group D joining the Harambee Stars at the finals. For McCarthy, that makes the campaign a priceless opportunity to test combinations, assess new talent and build a team capable of competing when AFCON finally arrives on East African soil in June 2027.
And it all begins at Nyayo.
For Olunga, it is a return. For Wangaya, Millard and Javan Ochieng, it is the beginning of a dream. For Benni McCarthy, it is the first major step towards building the Harambee Stars team he hopes will make history at home.
