Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a provisional 30-man squad for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), with top performers from the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season making up the bulk of the team.
The month-long tournament reserved for players plying their trade in domestic leagues will run from August 2 to 30 and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. For the first time in the nation’s football history, Kenya will not only participate but also host a portion of the tournament, adding pressure and excitement for the home side.
Leading the frontline are the league’s top scorers: Moses Shummah (17 goals), Emmanuel Osoro (16), and Ryan Ogam (15), whose prolific form has earned them deserved call-ups. Sofapaka striker Edward Omondi also makes the squad following a standout season.
In midfield, Kenya Police FC’s Mohammed Bajaber brings creativity and flair. He is joined by exciting newcomers including Shabana’s Keith Imbali, and Ulinzi Stars duo Yakeen Muteheli and Staphod Odhiambo all receiving their first-ever national team call-ups.
The squad is scheduled to report to camp on July 10 to begin preparations ahead of Kenya’s historic CHAN debut. Harambee Stars will open their campaign against DR Congo on August 3 at the Kasarani Stadium before facing Angola, Morocco, and Zambia in the group stage.
Although Kenya last featured at the continental stage in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) exiting in the group phase there’s renewed hope and ambition this time around. With home advantage and a vibrant squad of in-form domestic players, the team is determined to make a deep run.
Provisional Harambee Stars Squad for CHAN 2024
Goalkeepers
Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)
Defenders
Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Manzur Suleiman (KCB), Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibwage (Tusker), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Kevin Okumu (KCB)
Midfielders
Brian Musa (Kenya Police), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB), Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia)
Forwards
Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), David Sakwa (Bandari), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Ryan Ogam (Tusker), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari)
