Olunga, Austin Odhiambo in as Firat names Harambee Stars squad for World Cup qualifiers
31st May 2024
Olunga was initially missing from the provisional squad, sparking huge uproar.
- Kenya will be facing Burundi and current African champions Ivory Coast on June 7 and June 11.
- Kenya currently sits third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
The Harambee Stars coach, Engin Firat, has named the
travelling team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches against Burundi
and Ivory Coast scheduled to be played on June 7 and 11, 2024.
Captain Michael Olunga, who was initially omitted from the provisional squad released early on, headlines the team with Gor Mahia ace Austin Odhiambo also included after an earlier spat with the team’s technical bench.
Marauding left back Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is set to join camp before the team departs for Malawi while French-based Joseph Okumu, Daniel Anyembe, Timothy Noor Ouma, Collins Sichenje and Ian Otieno set to link up with the team in Malawi.
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Bristol City defender Zak Vyner and Germany-based defender Tobias Knost are some of the new faces who have made the cut alongside former Gor man John Ochieng who currently plays for Zambia’s Zanaco.
Australia-based forward Bruce Kamau and England-based winger Adam Wilson have not made it into the final Harambee Stars squad.
Former AFC Leopards striker Elvis Rupia, former Gor Mahia man Amos Nondi, Murang'a Seal goalkeeper Bonifas Munyasa, Kenya Police centerback Brian Okoth and AFC Leopards youngster Kaycie Odhiambo are also among those dropped
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The first match will pit Stars against Burundi on June 7th followed by the second against Ivory Coast on June 11th. Both matches will be played at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The team is expected to depart for Malawi on Sunday 2 June 2024 and return on Wednesday, June 12.
Kenya currently sits third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.
Only the top team in the group, which comprises Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles, and Kenya, will qualify for the 48-team World Cup, which will be played across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
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Four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will also get a lifeline in a playoff that will determine CAF’s representative in the Inter-confederation playoffs involving six teams, which will decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths.
Travelling Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Patrick Matasi
Defenders
Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje. Zak Vyner, Alphonce Omija, Erik Ouma Otieno, Abud Omar, Daniel Anyembe, Tobias Knost
Midfielders
John Ochieng, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Chrispine Erambo, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Kenneth Muguna, Austin Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Eric Johanna
Forwards
John Avire, Benson Omalla, Michael Olunga