Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has unveiled a provisional squad of 25 players for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, with home-based players dominating the list. Thirteen of these players feature in the domestic top-flight, highlighting the crucial role of the FKF Premier League in sustaining the national team.

Despite his past criticisms of the league’s standards, Firat continues to rely heavily on its players. “The boys did their best, but the Kenyan league is not at the tempo to compete here,” Firat commented after a goalless draw against Ivory Coast in the last FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. “It is not on the physical level to play these kinds of big teams. Under these circumstances, it is unbelievable that the boys bring this performance.”

Notable home-based players in the latest squad include Gor Mahia’s Rooney Onyango, who has solidified his position in the team, alongside Austin Odhiambo, a creative midfielder who shone during the 2024 COSAFA Cup, and Alphonce Omija, a promising defender. These players were instrumental in Gor Mahia’s recent 5-2 aggregate victory over South Sudan’s El Merreikh Bentiu in the CAF Champions League.

Before his recent move to Lebanon’s Safa Sporting Club, Benson Omala, a former Gor Mahia striker, had begun securing his place in the Harambee Stars squad with increasing playtime. Kenya Police FC goalkeeper Patrick Matasi remains the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper, while his teammates Abud Omar and Kenneth Muguna have consistently been included in the squad. The three were key in Kenya Police FC’s 1-0 aggregate win over Ethiopian Bunna in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminaries.

AFC Leopards midfielder Kayci Odhiambo and his Tusker FC counterpart Chris Erambo have also been touted as future stars for Harambee.

Harambee Stars will begin their 2025 AFCON Qualifiers on Friday, September 6, 2024, against Zimbabwe at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda, followed by a clash with Namibia in South Africa.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers:
Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)

Defenders:
Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Raków Częstochowa-Poland), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders:
Kayci Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Johanna (UTA-Romania), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Patrick Otieno (KCB), Duke Abuya (Young Africans), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg), Clifton Miheso (AFC Leopards)

Forwards:
John Avire (Pyramids Suez), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail-Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (St. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Safa SC), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards)