Austin Odhiambo, Gor Mahia’s dynamic attacking midfielder, has been called up to the national team, the Harambee Stars, for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
This marks Odhiambo’s first inclusion in the national squad, a move that has been eagerly anticipated by fans.
Joining Odhiambo in receiving their inaugural call-ups are Kenya Police defender Brian Okoth, Tobias Knost from Germany’s SV Verl, Bruce Kamau who plays in Australia, and Adam Wilson of Bradford City. The provisional 25-man squad, however, does not include team captain Michael Olunga and key midfielder Richard Odada, alongside sidelined players Joseph Okumu, Daniel Anyembe, and Eric Marcelo Ouma.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has not provided details on Olunga’s omission but has indicated that head coach Engin Firat will address queries in an upcoming briefing.
Duke Abuya and Elvis Rupia, who play in Tanzania, have been recalled to the team after missing out on the Four Nations Tournament. The Harambee Stars are set to begin their training at Kasarani Annex starting Tuesday, in preparation for the matches scheduled to take place in Malawi on June 7 and 11.
Due to renovations at Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadiums for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda, the qualifiers have been relocated to Bingu National Stadium in Malawi.
Kenya is currently positioned third in Group F, having accumulated three points from two matches. The group also includes African champions Ivory Coast, along with Gabon, Burundi, Gambia, and Seychelles.
Harambee Stars Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers
- Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police)
- Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari)
- Bonphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal)
- Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia)
Defenders
- Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal)
- Alphonse Omija (Dhofar-Oman)
- Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia)
- Brian Okoth (Kenya Police)
- Abud Omar (Kenya Police)
- Tobias Knost (SV Verl, Germany)
Midfielders
- John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia)
- Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania)
- Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England)
- Anthony Akumu (Unattached)
- Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police)
- Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards)
- Chrispine Erambo (Tusker)
- Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia)
- Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azerbaijan)
- Duke Abuya (IHEFU, Tanzania)
- Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia)
Forwards
- John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC, Egypt)
- Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
- Benson Omala (Gor Mahia)
- Elvis Rupia (IHEFU, Tanzania)
