Firat unveils final Harambee Stars squad for 2024 CHAN qualifiers against South Sudan

By Peter Ochieng

National football team, Harambee Stars Head Coach Engin Firat on Thursday unveiled his final squad for Kenya’s upcoming 2024 Total Energies African Nations Championship (CHAN) CECAFA qualifiers.

Harambee Stars will face South Sudan in the two-legged clash.

Kenya has already secured automatic qualification for the 2025 CHAN tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1-28, 2025.

However, Firat is determined to make a strong statement in the qualifiers which will double up as preparations for the tournament.

Harambee Stars will face South Sudan in the first leg on October 27, 2024, at Juba International Stadium.

The return leg is scheduled for November 3, 2024, at 4 PM at Mandela National Stadium, in Uganda. Should Kenya triumph over South Sudan, they will advance to the final phase of the qualifiers, where they will meet the winner of the Djibouti vs Rwanda tie.

The final phase is slated for December 20-27, 2024. Kenya’s squad is expected to travel to Juba on Friday, October 25, 2024, ahead of the crucial first leg tie.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers: Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Farouk Shikalo (KCB), Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz).

Police FC goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been dropped.

Defenders: Musa Mohammed (Kenya Police FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Bernard Ondiek (Posta Rangers), Brian Eshihanda (Kakamega Homeboyz), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC).

Midfielders: Vincent Owino (Nairobi City Stars), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police FC), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Issa Lumumba (Ulinzi Stars), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker FC), Matthias Isogol (Mara Sugar), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks).

Forwards: Victor Omune (AFC Leopards), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Mathew Tegisi (Shabana), Patrick Otieno (KCB).

The CECAFA region is set to enjoy increased representation in the competition, by virtue of CAF having granted three nations the opportunity to co-host the prestigious CHAN tournament.

The region has been awarded an additional spot, meaning one more CECAFA team will qualify for the tournament. CHAN is a tournament for Africa based players.