Benni McCarthy makes three changes to Harambee Stars squad set to face Senegal

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has made three changes to his provisional squad set to take part in two international friendlies this month in Antalya, Turkey.

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McCarthy, who last month named his 24-man squad for friendlies against Madagascar and Comoros, has been forced to bring new faces into his team, amid fixture changes which will now see Harambee Stars face Equatorial Guinea and Senegal on 14 and 18 November respectively.

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The new names included are Nairobi United left back Kevin Otiende, and the Gor Mahia duo of Bryton Onyona and Sharif Musa, who replace the outgoing trio of Manzur Okwaro, Adam Wilson and Vincent Harper, who have all been ruled out of the fixtures.

The squad is expected to report for local camp on Sunday, 9 November, before jetting out three days later on Wednesday, 12 November.

"The friendly matches will provide Harambee Stars with a vital opportunity to test their strength against high-ranking opponents, fine-tune tactical approaches, and build cohesion ahead of upcoming competitive engagements," Football Kenya Federation of Kenya (FKF) noted in their statement on Friday, 7 November.

Maiden call-ups for Otiende and Onyona

McCarthy, as backed up by FKF's aforementioned statement, has got his eyes solely on giving his players top-level experience, and most importantly, building a formidable squad that will compete strongly in upcoming tournaments - the longshot being the home Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

Having raised a few eyebrows by calling up youngsters like Aldrine Kibet, Baron Ochieng and Baron Ochieng last month, McCarthy's latest shuffles, albeit last minute, reflect a trend towards preparing for the future, and widening his pool.

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Otiende and Onyona, thanks to their strong showing locally, have as a result bagged their maiden call-ups to the national team, and the two fixtures will test them on their possible debuts.

Onyona, just 20, has this season hit the headlines for his steady performances for Gor Mahia, and has not looked out of place at left back, since emerging from the youth team last year, during which he notably won a Mozzart Bet Cup Man-of-the-Match along the way.

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Otiende, on a similar note, has been a top-level performer for Nairobi United, leading them strongly in their journey to the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup, and has been heavily involved in the team's first season in the FKF Premier League.

Return for Shariff

Musa Shariff, a regular for Gor Mahia this season, has also seen his graft this season rewarded, and returns to the national team for the first time in over a year.

Musa, who has one goal for K'Ogalo so far this term, was last called up for Harambee Stars in March 2024 for the Four Nations tournament in Malawi, and will be keen to make a lasting impression on McCarthy.

Senegal unveil star-studded squad set to face Harambee Stars

FINAL SQUAD

Goal Keepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)

Defenders: Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Etoile Du Sahel), Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal), Kevin Otiende (Nairobi United), Baron Ochieng (Zamalek), Bryton Onyona (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders: Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznan), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC)

Attackers: Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), William Lenkupae (VPS), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo), Ovellah Ochieng (Nairobi United), Jonah Ayunga (ST Mirren), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki), Sharif Musa (Gor Mahia).