Harambee Stars Coach names provisional squad for AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon

By Peter Ochieng

National football team, Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has named his provisional squad for the crucial upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Cameroon.

The group J double-header matches will be played between October 7, and October 15, 2024. According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Firat’s 28-man squad consists of local-based talents and foreign professionals.

Among the domestic players included are Gor Mahia’s Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Geoffrey Ochieng, Ronney Onyango and Austine Odhiambo. Notably, Tusker FC midfielder David Odoyo receives his first senior national team call-up, while AFC Leopards’ Sydney Lokale returns to the fold after a prolonged absence.

Captain Michael Ogada Olunga, who continues his prolific form with Al-Duhail in Qatar, headlines the foreign-based players. Other foreign based players in the provisional squad include defender Daniel Anyembe, Johnstone Omurwa, Alfred Scriven, Eric Ouma of Rakow, and Richard Odada, who plies his trade with Dundee United.

The team is set to begin their residential camp on Friday, October 4, 202, with FKF Premier League-action having been suspended for about three weeks to pave way for the qualifiers.

The first leg match is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024, at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, followed by the return leg on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda. The second match in Kampala will be played behind closed doors.

These fixtures will be pivotal for Kenya’s campaign to qualify for the prestigious continental tournament in Morocco.

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)

Defenders: Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Johnstone Omurwa (Abha), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (Rakow)

Midfielders: David Odoyo (Tusker), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), John Ochieng (Zanaco), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)

Forwards: John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Qatar), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), , Adam Wilson (New Saints), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK).

Kenya is atop group J with 4 points after two rounds of matches against Namibia and Zimbabwe. Cameroon is second with 4 points, but with a poor goal difference.