Harambee Stars’ foreign-based trio to join team in Abidjan ahead of The Gambia clash
By Luke Oluoch, March 17, 2025Three Kenyan foreign-based players will join their international teammates in Abidjan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier clash against The Gambia.
Football Kenya Federation FKF has on Monday, March 17, 2025 confirmed that Eric Johana Omondi, Daniel Francis Anyembe, and Richard Odada will link up with the team in West Africa having not been part of the team’s preparations in Kenya.
Johanna features for UTA Arad, Anyembe for the Swedish side Viborg FF, and Odada is in the books of the Scottish side Dundee United.
The three secured their slots in coach Benni McCarthy’s final 23-man squad for the March 20, 2025 clash revealed this Monday, March 17, 2025.
Departure
The team is set to depart Nairobi for Ivory Coast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast capital’s Abidjan will stage the clash as Gambia lacks a CAF-approved venue to host the 2026 World Cup qualifier matches.
Meanwhile, there has been notable misses in the squad with France-based defender and vice-skipper Joseph Okumu a key highlight.
The defender played for the side, Stade Reims in the barren draw on Sunday, March 16 league tie in France but has not been included among those set to link-up with the team afterwards.
Rest of the squad
Skipper Michael Olunga will lead the attacking line along with Masud Juma who played for McCarty in South Africa with Cape Town City FC.
Brian Mandela and Ismael Gonzalez add to the list of experienced contingent in the Kenyan team with the needed AFCON experience.
Speaking ahead of the tie, McCarthy revealed his readiness to start his tenure with a side he termed as ready to embrace the challenge.
“I’m thrilled to lead my first two World Cup qualifiers. I’m eager to work with the talented squad I’ve selected for the campaign. There’s plenty of hard work and dedication ahead, but we’re ready to embrace the challenge as a team,” he said as quoted by the federation website.
Kenya will first face Gambia on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast.
The boys will return home for a subsequent clash against Gabon at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
The clash kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
Travelling Squad:
Traveling Squad
Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikhalo.
Defenders: Jonestone Omurwa, Brian Mandela,Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Erick Ouma, Manzur Okwaro, Ronny Onyango
Midfielders: Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Ismael Gonzalez, Timothy Ouma, Eric Johana, Duke Abuya, Mohammed Bajaber, Ben Stanley Omondi
Forwards: Masud Juma, Jonah Ayunga, Elvis Rupia, John Avire, Michael Olunga