Austin Odhiambo left out of Harambee Stars squad for World Cup qualifiers
Austin Odhiambo controls the ball during Kenya's CHAN 2024 opening match against DR Congo on August 3, 2025. Kenya won 1-0. Photo by Sportpicha.
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Harambee Stars' CHAN joint-top scorer Austin Odhiambo is the surprise omission from the national football team final squad announced Wednesday by head coach Benni McCarthy ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Seychelles and the Gambia next month.
The Gor Mahia stalwart, who sat out of the quarter-final
loss to Madagascar, was overlooked in the 23-man squad largely dominated by CHAN
stars alongside Daniel Sakari, Siraj Mohammed, Chrispine Erambo and striker
Massoud Juma.
The South African coach handed nine call ups to the foreign-based players who could not feature in the CHAN tournament which is exclusively set for local-based players.
Captain Michael Olunga, who missed Chad friendly matches in May due to injury, is back alongside Brian Bwire, Collins Sichenje, Rooney Onyango, Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Emmanuel Osoro and Will Lenkupae.
Seasoned left-back Marcelo Ouma, who plies his trade in Sweden, has been ruled out after undergoing surgery on his achilles tendon.
His energy and attacking presence down the flank will be sorely missed, with McCarthy admitting the defender’s absence leaves “a big hole” in his tactical setup.
In goal, Bryne Omondi (Gor Mahia) and Farouk Shikhalo (Bandari) have kept their places, joined by Brian Bwire (Polokwane City).
The defence features Gor Maria's quartet of Sylvester Owino, Alphonse Omija, Michael Kibwage, Lewis Bandi alongside Rooney Onyango, Kenya Police veteran Aboud Omar and Serbian-based Collins Sichenje.
The midfield blend includes Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), rising star Mansur Okwaro (KCB), Ben Stanley Omondi (Gor Mahia), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police), Richard Odada (Dundee United), and Europe-based Timothy “Noor” Ouma, currently on loan at Lech Poznan from Slavia Prague.
Leading the line, Olunga currently attached with Qatari side Al-Arabi SC will seek to help Kenya clinch wins against Seychelles and the Gambia.
He is supported by Ryan Ogam (Tusker), Emmanuel Osoro (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Will Lenkupae, Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), and Job Ochieng, the teenage forward at Real Sociedad B.
Despite Kenya being realistically out of contention in the qualifiers, Benny MC Carthy will be looking to build a strong team that will feature in the 2027 AFCON set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya sit fourth on six points in Group F, ten points behind leaders Ivory Coast with four matches remaining.
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