Benni McCarthy Names Final Harambee Stars Squad - Kenya Prepare for Bafana Bafana Clashes

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

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Kenya's squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers includes Olunga and Ouma after injury recoveries.
Benni McCarthy faces South Africa as Kenya's coach, adding a personal storyline.
Kenya are already qualified as co-hosts, while South Africa top Group D.

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy will be eager to shock the country of his birth (Getty Images).

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has announced his final 24-man squad for Kenya's upcoming back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against South Africa.
Olunga and Marcelo Headline Selection
Kenya Squad in Full
McCarthy's South African Connection Adds Intrigue
South Africa Lead Group D After Perfect Start
Group D Table
Dates, Venues and Times

The former Bafana Bafana striker has selected a squad featuring a mixture of established international players, European-based talent and domestic stars as Kenya prepare for two important encounters against their southern African neighbours.

Olunga and Marcelo Headline Selection

One of the biggest talking points from McCarthy's selection is the return of captain Michael Olunga, who has been included after recovering from a serious pelvic injury that required surgery and kept him sidelined for approximately five months.

The Al-Arabi striker brings valuable experience to the Kenyan attack and will be expected to play an important role against South Africa.

Defender Eric Marcelo Ouma is another significant inclusion after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in August 2025 while training with Polish outfit Raków Częstochowa.

Midfielder Alwyn Tera is also back in the squad after a lengthy absence from international football. The Ararat-Armenia player last featured for Kenya in 2021 and will be eager to make an impression under McCarthy.

Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng is another player to watch, having impressed with the Spanish club and earning his place in the final selection.

Kenya Squad in Full

Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Tusker), Faruk Shikalo (Nairobi United).

Defenders: Abud Omar (Tusker), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Amos Wanjala (Valencia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Eric Marcelo Ouma (Raków Częstochowa), Stanley Wilson (AIK), Vincent Harper (Exeter City), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal FC), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus FC).

Midfielders: Manzur Okwaro (Stade de Reims), Alwyn Tera (Ararat-Armenia), Henry Ochieng (Slough Town), Zak Vyner (Wrexham).

Forwards: Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Mohammed Bajaber (Nairobi United), Will Lenkupae (Tulsa), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège), Micah Obiero (Carlisle).

McCarthy's South African Connection Adds Intrigue

The double-header carries an additional storyline because of McCarthy's strong connections to South African football.

Born in Cape Town, the Harambee Stars coach remains South Africa's all-time leading international goalscorer with 31 goals.

McCarthy enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Bafana Bafana, representing his country at major international tournaments and becoming one of the most recognisable South African footballers of his generation.

He will now face his country of birth for the first time as Kenya's head coach, adding an interesting personal dimension to an already important qualifying double-header.

South Africa Lead Group D After Perfect Start

South Africa head into the November double-header in a strong position after winning both of their opening AFCON 2027 qualifying matches.

Bafana began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea before recording an emphatic 5-0 win against Eritrea.

Kenya, meanwhile, opened with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Guinea in Conakry.

Those results leave South Africa at the summit of Group D with six points, while Kenya sit third with one point after two matches.

Group D Table

Position	Team	Played	Points
1	South Africa	2	6
2	Guinea	2	3
3	Kenya	2	1
4	Eritrea	2	1

Kenya's status as one of the three AFCON 2027 co-hosts means they have already secured automatic qualification for the tournament. Only the highest-ranked non-host nation in Group D will claim the additional qualifying place.

Dates, Venues and Times

South Africa will be keen to maintain their perfect qualifying record when they welcome Kenya to Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Friday, November 13.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 SAST, with Mosimane's men looking to take advantage of home support before travelling to Nairobi for the return encounter.

The second meeting will take place at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday, November 17, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 SAST.

Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.