Firat names final squad for AFCON qualifier matches against Cameroon

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars Head coach Engin Firat has named his final 24-man squad ahead of the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Cameroon.

Cameroon will host the first leg match on October 11, before Kenya play host to the second leg in Kampala, Uganda on October 14, 2024.

According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Alfred Scriven makes a return to the national team fold after a long absence while Adam Wilson earns his second call up.

Captain Michael Ogada Olunga makes a return to the squad, after missing last month’s qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia respectively due to injury.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Patrick Matasi, Byrne Omondi

Defenders: Alphonce Omija, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Sylvester Owino, Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje, Joseph Okumu, Geoffrey Ochieng, Eric Ouma

Midfielders: Chrispine Erambo, Richard Odada, John Ochieng, Timothy Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Duke Abuya, Ronney Onyango Forwards: John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Adam Wilson, Alfred Scriven

Tusker FC’s youngster David Odoyo, Ulinzi Stars’ Boniface Muchiri as well as AFC Leopards striker Sydney Lokale did not make the final cut.

Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo was also left out of the double header, after picking up an injury earlier this week.

Coach Firat said that he is happy because this time round, only few players are missing. “I am happy that this time we only have a few players missing. I have never had the opportunity to play with the same team since I came here and this time we have a chance. For me, it is better to have this headache of selection than to have no players at all,” he stated, as quoted by Capital Sports.

The first leg of the double-header is scheduled for Friday, at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Omnisports Stadium in Yaounde, followed by the return leg on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda.