Harambee Stars’ Squad Unveiled for Upcoming Friendly Against Russia

Harambee Stars’ head coach, Engin Firat, has revealed the 23-man squad that will face 2018 World Cup hosts Russia in an international friendly match on October 16 in Antalya, Turkey.

This friendly serves as a crucial buildup to the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for November 13 to 21.

Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, finds itself in Group ‘F’ for the qualifiers, alongside Seychelles, Burundi, Gambia, Gabon, and Côte d’Ivoire. The newly unveiled squad comprises a mix of locally and internationally-based players, with Vincent Harper and Rooney Onyango earning their maiden call-ups to the national team.

Vincent Harper, an England-based defender who plies his trade with Exeter FC in League One, the third tier of the English football league system, joins the squad.

Meanwhile, Rooney Onyango, the right-back from Gor Mahia, has earned his place after impressing for the league champions since the beginning of the year.

Brian Bwire of Tusker returns to the squad, taking the place of Zambia-based Ian Otieno, while Daniel Sakari, also from Tusker, makes his comeback after a lengthy injury battle. South Africa-based midfielder Ovella Ochieng is making his return to the team for the first time since 2020.

AFC Leopards’ Cliffton Miheso has also received a call-up. Notable absentees from the squad include Clarke Oduor, who was substituted in the friendly match against South Sudan last month, and Daniel Anyemba. Other players left out include Otieno, Abud Omar, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Ayub Masika, and Elvis Rupia.

The forward line will feature the same lineup as in the previous international friendlies, with the current FKF Premier League top scorer, Benson Omalla, being overlooked. The foreign-based contingent includes captain Michael Olunga, Masud Juma, Joseph Okumu, Brian Mandela, Johnstone Omurwa, Eric Ouma, Amos Nondi, Richard Odada, and Teddy Akumu.

To prepare for this crucial friendly ahead of their World Cup qualifiers in November, the team will travel on Monday and set up camp in Turkey for the upcoming match.

Here is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi, Brian Bwire, Bryne Odhiambo
Defenders: Joseph Stanley Okumu, Brian Mandela, Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje, Erick Ouma, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari, Vincent Harper, Amos Nondi
Midfielders: Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Alpha Onyango, Ayub Timbe, Ovella Ochieng
Forwards: Masoud Juma, Alfred Scriven, Cliffton Miheso, Moses Shummah, Michael Olunga.