McCarthy names Harambee Stars travelling squad for World Cup qualifier vs Gambia

New head coach of the Harambee Stars, Benni McCarthy, has officially announced his 23-player squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gambia.

The match is set to take place at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Gambia’s home ground is currently not approved by FIFA or CAF for high-stakes matches, prompting the neutral venue.

McCarthy, who took charge of the team on March 12, has expressed optimism about the talent within the squad and the potential for younger players to shine on the international stage. He reflected on his initial training session, which provided a chance for both him and the players to familiarize themselves with each other's styles.

"It was nice for me to get to know them better and for them to understand my coaching style," McCarthy stated, noting the team's initial nervousness but ultimately highlighting their strong performance during training.

With key players unavailable for this pivotal match, McCarthy is dedicated to preparing a resilient team that is determined to succeed. "We are aware of the importance of this upcoming game,” he asserted. "We’ll make it difficult for our opponents. What matters is that we have a hardworking group that’s focused on winning."

Harambee Stars travelling 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

Kenya enters this match looking to secure essential points in their World Cup qualification journey. They suffered an initial setback in their campaign following a 2-1 defeat to Gabon back in November 2023, where they took an early lead but ultimately fell short. However, they quickly bounced back with a commanding 5-0 victory over Seychelles, with Michael Olunga shining by scoring two goals.

Their subsequent matches have seen a mixed bag of results, including a frustrating 1-1 draw against Burundi, before managing to hold African champions Ivory Coast to a goalless draw.

For Gambia, the road has also been challenging, losing their first two matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast before a resounding 5-1 victory over Seychelles. They currently sit alongside Kenya in search of vital points.

Gambia coach Jonathan McKinstry, a former Kenyan Premier League champion with Gor Mahia, has assembled a squad featuring standout players like Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh and former Bologna forward Musa Barrow.