Okumu, Marcelo make comeback as Firat names final Harambee Stars squad for opening 2025 AFCON qualifiers

Engin Firat has named the final 25-man Harambee Stars squad that will represent the country in the opening two matches as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers begin in September.

Kenya, who are in Group J, are set to get their campaign underway with a home match against Zimbabwe on 6 September but that opening encounter will be staged at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda due to the country’s lack of a CAF-approved stadium.

Four days later, the team will travel to South Africa to take on Namibia who will host them at the Orlando Stadium also due to the lack of a certified playing ground in their own country.

In the named squad, captain Michael Olunga has been included despite Firat disclosing that he may miss the action due to an ongoing injury problem that has seen him miss the last three matches for his Qatar outfit Al Duhail.

ALSO READ: Why Michael Olunga could miss Harambee Stars’ opening 2025 AFCON qualifiers

Firat has also made some alterations to the provisional squad with AFC Leopards goalkeeper Levis Opiyo called to replace the dropped Ian Otieno.

The other big change sees Collins Sichenje, who currently plies his trade with Serbian top-tier outfit Vojvodina, replaced by Bandari’s Sharrif Majabe after picking up a recent injury on club duty.

Kenya will however be boosted by the return of French-based defender Joseph Okumu who is expected to feature having missed the two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast back in June.

Same as Okumu who is currently on the books of French Ligue 1 side Reims, former Gor Mahia man Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, currently playing for Polish side Rakow, will make his return after missing the last four Harambee Stars games.

Play here and stand a chance of winning the over 379 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot

Gor Mahia’s creative midfielder Austin Odhiambo, who was crowned the 23/24 Most Valuable Player in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League, is also in the team alongside Yanga’s Duke Abuya and Timothy Ouma who plays for Swedish side Elfsborg.

The team is expected to depart for Uganda on Monday, September 2, 2024 and will travel on to South Africa on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

The forward line will see Benson Omalla, who recently completed his surprising move from Gor Mahia to Lebanon, fighting to lead the line in case Olunga does not start. 

He will however face stiff competition from John Avire and Scottish-based Jonah Ayunga who comes close to matching Olunga's physical attributes.

Captain Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Ouma, Okumu and Richard Odada are set to join the team in Uganda.

ALSO READ: Eliud Kipchoge visits Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool clash

Harambee Stars Travelling Squad

Goalkeepers

Levis Opiyo, Patrick Matasi, Byrne Omondi

Defenders

Sharrif Majabe, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi, Abud Omar, Eric Ouma, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija

Midfielders

Chris Erambo, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Eric Johanna, Ronney Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma

Forwards

John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, Victor Omune

ALSO READ: Kenyatta University Graduate Strikes Gold:Wins Ksh 10 Million in SportPesa’s Goal Rush Game!