McCarthy Names 36-Man Harambee Stars Squad for South Africa Double-Header as Big Names Miss Out

Benni McCarthy has unveiled a 36-man provisional Harambee Stars squad for Kenya’s back-to-back AFCON 2027 qualifying encounters against South Africa, with notable omissions, returning players and a strong overseas contingent highlighting his latest selection.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has made several interesting selection decisions as Kenya prepare for two successive meetings with South Africa in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The South African tactician has named a 36-man provisional squad featuring a mixture of experienced internationals, emerging talents and footballers developing their careers in different leagues around the world.

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However, the biggest talking points are not limited to those who have made the list. Several familiar names have been left out, raising questions about McCarthy’s changing preferences as he continues to assemble a squad capable of competing at the highest continental level.

Kenya will travel to South Africa for the first encounter on November 13, 2026, before hosting Bafana Bafana in the return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on November 17 at 7pm EAT.

The double-header will be particularly significant for McCarthy, who will face his home country for the first time since taking charge of Harambee Stars.

Although Kenya have already secured automatic qualification for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the matches remain important competitive assignments in the Group D campaign.

McCarthy leaves familiar names out of South Africa squad

One of the biggest talking points surrounding the latest selection is the absence of several players who have previously featured in Harambee Stars discussions.

Moses Shumah is among the notable omissions, despite his impressive goalscoring record in recent seasons.

The forward enjoyed a productive spell at Power Dynamos in Zambia, where he scored 21 goals before securing a move to South African side AmaZulu.

His performances had generated expectations of a more established role in the national team, but McCarthy has opted for alternative attacking options ahead of the South African fixtures.

Austin Odhiambo is another familiar name missing from the provisional selection. The midfielder has previously demonstrated his ability to influence matches through creativity, movement and attacking transitions.

Tyson Otieno, Zech Obiero and Louis Millard are also absent from the latest list.

The omissions create opportunities for other players to strengthen their claims, particularly in midfield and attack, where competition for places is becoming increasingly intense.

McCarthy has previously spoken about the importance of commitment when selecting players for national duty.

Explaining his approach during an earlier discussion about Moses Shumah, the Harambee Stars coach said:

“I am big on loyalty and would always choose players that have been loyal to me and worked for me.”

He further explained his preference for footballers who demonstrate commitment when representing the country, stressing that his decisions are influenced by more than individual statistics.

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The comments provide an insight into McCarthy’s selection philosophy, although he has not publicly attributed the latest omissions to loyalty or any specific disciplinary concerns.

The provisional nature of the squad also means that players outside the current selection have an opportunity to work towards future national team opportunities.

Overseas-based players widen McCarthy’s options

Another major feature of the latest squad is the number of footballers representing clubs outside Kenya.

McCarthy has continued to widen his scouting pool, identifying Kenyan talent across several international leagues rather than relying exclusively on players competing in the FKF Premier League.

The goalkeeping department includes Caleb Kramer of Dutch club ADO Den Haag and Ian Otieno of South African outfit Richards Bay.

Kramer provides another international option between the posts, while Otieno’s inclusion represents an opportunity to strengthen his position in the national team setup.

In defence, Vincent Harper of Exeter City, Stanley Wilson of AIK and Eric Marcelo Ouma of Raków Częstochowa are among the overseas-based selections.

Joseph Okumu of French club Stade de Reims is another important inclusion following his recovery from a lengthy injury absence.

His experience could prove valuable against a South African attack that possesses considerable international quality.

Other defenders playing abroad include Amos Wanjala of Valencia, Deon Woodman of Bromley, Daniel Anyembe of Viborg FF and Rooney Onyango of Sogndal.

The midfield department also reflects McCarthy’s continued interest in international talent.

Manzur Okwaro of Stade de Reims, Henry Ochieng of Slough Town, Marvin Nabwire of Power Dynamos, Zak Vyner of Wrexham and Alyin Tera of Ararat-Armenia have all earned provisional invitations.

These players will compete alongside locally based options such as Chris Erambo of Tusker and Alpha Onyango of Gor Mahia.

Their inclusion provides McCarthy with an opportunity to assess different footballing backgrounds and determine which combinations can improve Kenya’s midfield performance.

Olunga leads attacking department ahead of Bafana Bafana meetings

Michael Olunga remains one of the most important figures in the provisional squad.

The Al Arabi striker brings international experience and leadership to an attacking department containing several younger players seeking to establish themselves in the national team.

His inclusion provides McCarthy with an experienced reference point as Harambee Stars prepare to face South Africa twice within a four-day period.

Ryan Ogam of RFC Liège is another forward expected to attract attention, particularly given his recent involvement with the national team.

The attacking options also include Aldrine Kibet of Celta Vigo, Will Lenkupae of Tulsa, Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad, Adam Wilson of The New Saints and Micah Obiero of Carlisle United.

Locally based Mohammed Bajaber of Nairobi United, Ben Stanley of Gor Mahia, Kevin Wangaya and Lawrence Okoth of Bandari complete the forward selection.

The variety gives McCarthy several tactical possibilities, although identifying the right combinations will be crucial against a South African team with considerable experience.

Olunga’s presence could also provide an opportunity for younger attackers to develop alongside one of Kenya’s most established international players.

South Africa double-header offers important examination

The November fixtures will provide McCarthy with an opportunity to assess his squad against one of Africa’s established football nations.

South Africa possess considerable experience, having regularly featured in major continental competitions. Their technical quality, tactical organisation and attacking options will present a demanding examination for Harambee Stars.

The first meeting away from home will require Kenya to demonstrate defensive discipline and composure, while the return fixture at Nyayo will give the team an opportunity to perform in front of local supporters.

The two matches also carry personal significance for McCarthy, who previously represented Bafana Bafana during his playing career.

Facing South Africa as Kenya’s head coach will place him in a different position, with his responsibility now centred on preparing Harambee Stars to compete against his former national team.

For Kenya, the broader objective extends beyond the immediate results.

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As co-hosts of AFCON 2027, Harambee Stars have already secured their place at the tournament. The qualifying campaign nevertheless offers valuable competitive preparation as the technical bench works towards identifying the strongest possible squad.

The expanded provisional selection suggests that McCarthy wants to maintain competition across every department while giving players based abroad opportunities to demonstrate their suitability for international football.

The challenge now will be integrating the different players into a cohesive unit capable of delivering consistent performances.

With the first meeting scheduled for November 13 and the return encounter on November 17, McCarthy has an important opportunity to evaluate his options against familiar opposition.

The final squad will ultimately determine which players get the chance to represent Kenya in the two fixtures.

For those omitted, the message is that competition for places remains open as Harambee Stars continue their preparations for the 2027 continental championship.