Harambee Stars will be without two key defenders ahead of their World Cup qualifying tie against Seychelles this Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Speaking ahead of the Seychelles tie, McCarthy stated that he had allowed Gor Mahia center back Alphonce Omija to leave the camp on Sunday to finalise the move.

“We had Alphonce Omija leaving the camp. I okayed it because it was an opportunity to join a club in Tunisia. He has left the camp to travel to Tunisia. The transfer window was closing, and we decided to help him get the medicals, as failing would have seen the move fall through. He left yesterday to travel to Tunisia,” he stated.

The coach also confirmed that Abud Omar is suspended for the clash.

“Abud Omar is suspended for the tie. That is two defenders missing, but we are fit and healthy for the clash,” he stated.

McCarthy and Harambee Stars will be eyeing to make amends as Kenya looks to get back to winning ways after Friday’s setback against Gambia.

The clash will be Kenya’s eighth in Group F as the team goes in search of their second win of the group.

Previous meetings

The two teams approach the clash with shattered confidence levels, having suffered defeats in their previous engagements.

 While Kenya fell to Gambia, the Islanders were on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline against Gabon’s national team coach, the Panthers, thanks to a spectacular hat trick from Denis Bouanga.

Harambee Stars dispatched Seychelles 5-0 in the first-leg meeting pitting the two in Abidjan on November 20.

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Kenyan skipper Michael Olunga scored a brace in the 5-0 demolition of Seychelles in the match-day two fixture. 

After the Seychelles tie, Kenya will next regroup for an away clash against Burundi on Monday, October 6, 2025.

The clash will see Kenya face its neighbours Burundi in the return leg after the two battled to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg meeting.

The national team will then conclude its campaign with a trip to Abidjan to face the reigning African champions, Ivory Coast, on Monday, September 13, 2025.