Gor Mahia assistant coach Kobi Bismark-Mensah has shared the side effects of K’Ogalo players turning up for the Kenya national senior men’s football team, the Harambee Stars.

Speaking ahead of the next international FIFA break, during which seven of K’Ogalo’s players are called up by the national team head coach, Benni McCarthy, for friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, the tactician has revealed that the call-up comes with its own challenges at the club level.

Seven Gor Mahia players will report to camp on Sunday, November 9, 2025, as Kenya opens their friendly campaign against Equatorial Guinea on Friday, November 14, 2025, starting at 6:00 pm at the Emir Complex. Harambee Stars will then take on Senegal on Tuesday, November 18, at 6:00 pm at the Mardan Stadium.

Side effects of national duties

”We have several regular players in our team that play for the national team; it is good, but when there is a break like this, especially when they are not playing home games, they travel here and there. Before they come, they will be a bit tired,” the Ghanaian tactician noted.

”Sometimes it affects their strength, but at the end of the day, it is also good for them to get that exposure. We just have to manage it and make sure we get the best out of them,” Bismark-Mensah added.

K’Ogalo players with Harambee Stars

Among the seven are Bryton Onyona and Musa Shariff, who have received their first-ever national team call-ups following a string of outstanding performances for the club. Their inclusion is seen as a reward for hard work, discipline, and consistency on the pitch.

The other Gor Mahia players named in the squad are goalkeeper Bryne Omondi, defenders Sylvester Owino and Mike Kibwage, and midfielders Alpha Onyango and Austine Odhiambo, all of whom have been key figures in the team’s recent success.

The selected players are expected to link up with the national team camp after this weekend’s league fixtures as preparations intensify for the upcoming international friendlies.

This latest call-up underscores Gor Mahia’s continued contribution to Kenyan football and the club’s commitment to nurturing top local talent capable of performing at the highest level.