Tusker head coach Charles Okere has hailed four of his players who have earned their Harambee Stars call-ups ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

Ryan Ogam, Chris Erambo, Eric Balecho, and Brian Opondo have been named in the provisional squad that will face Gabon and The Gambia in March’s qualifiers.

“We are extremely proud of Ryan, Chris, Eric, and Brian for their well-deserved call-ups to the national team.

“Their dedication, hard work, and contributions to Tusker FC have been outstanding. This shows the quality of players we have at the club. We are excited to support them as they take the next step in their international careers,” Okere said as quoted by a local publication.

Opondo has been impressive with the Brewers since he became the first-choice goalkeeper. He could earn his debut for Harambee Stars under Benni McCarthy.

“Brian’s first call-up is a huge achievement, and we know he will make us proud,” the coach said.

Ogam is the Premier League’s leading scorer and made his debut during the Mapinduzi Cup in January in Zanzibar. Erambo, on the other hand, has been quite a regular player in the Stars’ setup.

Balecho had been called up before, and the former Murang’a Seal star could earn his maiden appearance for the national team.

Harambee Stars’ squad

Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)

Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat)

Midfielders: Musa Katibi (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (Mara Sugar FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)

Forwards: Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)