McCarthy calls up youngsters

Benni McCarthy, coach of Kenya ©Djaffar Ladjal/BackpagePix

Monday Nov 03, 2025. 14:29

Kenyan national team head coach Benni McCarthy is looking to the future with his squad selection for Kenya’s upcoming international friendlies, naming two [players under the age of 20 in his squad.

Kenya will face Madagascar on 14 November before tackling the Comoros on 17 or 18 November in Antalya, Turkey.

This is according to the Kenya Football Federation.

The Harambee Stars failed to qualify for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2026 FIFA World Cup but are looking forward to the 2027 AFCON, which the nation will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

The trio of nations hosted the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in August.

McCathy has named 18-year-old Aldrine Kibet of Celta Vigo and 19-year-old Zamalek right-back Baron Ochieng in his squad for the first time.

Both players joined their respective clubs abroad at the start of the 2025/26 season.

With no imminent competitive football for the Harambee Stars, the former South African international and Champions League winner is displaying a commitment to the future of Kenyan football, nurturing and rewarding its talent as it builds towards the future.

Kenya squad:

Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire (Polokwane City, South Africa), Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)

Defenders: Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Vincent Harper (Walsall, England), Baron Ochieng (Zamalek, Egypt), Alphonce Omija (Etoile Sahel, Tunisia), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal, Norway), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Manzur Suleiman (Nairobi United),

Midfielders: Duke Abuya (Young Africans, Tanzania), Marvin Nabwire (Police FC), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznan)

Attackers: Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren, Scotland), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo, Spain), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad, Spain), Ovella Ochieng (Nairobi United), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger, Austria), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki, Finland), Adam Wilson (New Saints), William Lenkupae Wilson (Vaasan Palloseura, Finland).