Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 24-man squad for Kenya’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against South Africa.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsEight players from the domestic league have earned made the final cut, with Gor Mahia leading the local contingent with four representatives: goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, defenders Sylvester Owino and Frank Odhiambo, and forward Ben Stanley.Tusker and Nairobi United have contributed two players each: Brian Bwire and Abud Omar of Tusker, and Nairobi United duo Faruk Shikalo and Mohammed Bajaber.##NAJAVA_MECA_10096239##The squad also features the return of Poland-based defender Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma, who turns out for RKS Raków, and midfielder Alwyn Tera of Armenian side Ararat-Armenia.Tera earns a spot in just over two years, having last featured for Kenya in September 2024 during the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Zimbabwe.South Africa release final squad to face Harambee Stars in 2027 AFCON qualifiersOn the flip side, a total 12 players have been dropped from McCarthy's provisional squad, including on-fire Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango, who joins four other local players not making the cut namely: Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Kevin Wangaya (Nairobi United), and Lawrence Okoth (Bandari).Overseas players not in the final squad include: goalkeepers Ian Otieno and Caleb Kramer, Daniel Anyembe, Deon Woodman, Joseph Okumu, Marvin Nabwire, and youngster Aldrine Kibet.Gor Mahia fine-tune for Nairobi United test with Fortune Sacco winKenya head into the double-header seeking their first victory in Group D, after opening their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea, before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Guinea.The two matches against South Africa, set to played on Friday, 13 November at Orlando Stadium Johannesburg, and Tuesday, 17 at Nyayo Stadium, will offer McCarthy's charges an opportunity to revive their qualifying campaign, while strengthening their preparations for the 2027 AFCON finals, which Kenya will co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda.Stars Abroad: Kenyan winger Ochieng earns Europa League minutes as Tera's Armenian side suffers defeatFull Harambee Stars squadGoalkeepers- Byrne Omondi – Gor Mahia- Brian Bwire – Tusker- Faruk Shikalo – Nairobi UnitedDefenders- Abud Omar – Tusker- Frank Odhiambo – Gor Mahia- Amos Wanjala – Valencia- Sylvester Owino – Gor Mahia- Eric Marcelo Ouma – RKS Raków- Stanley Wilson – AIK- Vincent Harper – Exeter City- Ronney Onyango – Sogndal FC- Hannif Wesonga – Jamus FCMidfielders- Manzur Okwaro – Stade Reims- Alwyn Tera – Ararat-Armenia- Henry Ochieng – Slough Town- Zak Vyner – WrexhamForwards- Job Ochieng – Real Sociedad- Mohammed Bajaber – Nairobi United- Will Lenkupae – Tulsa- Adam Wilson – The New Saints- Ben Stanley – Gor Mahia- Michael Olunga – Al-Arabi- Ryan Ogam – RFC Liège- Micah Obiero – Carlisle
9