Kenya’s football faithful have every reason to be excited as head coach Benni McCarthy unveiled his provisional Harambee Stars squad for the 2024 CHAN, a team built almost entirely from the cream of the local leagues.
McCarthy’s 30-man provisional squad is a testament to the depth and quality of the FKF Premier League. Not a single player playing their trade abroad has been included, in line with CHAN regulations that only allow locally based talent to participate. This means that celebrated stars like Michael Olunga and Victor Wanyama, who play in foreign leagues, will not feature in this campaign.
Instead, the spotlight falls on domestic standouts such as Kakamega Homeboyz’s Moses Shummah, the league’s top scorer with 17 goals, and FC Talanta’s Emmanuel Osoro, who netted 16 times this season. Kenya Police’s Mohammed Bajaber, a league winner, also headlines the attack, while fresh faces like Keith Imbali (Shabana) and Ulinzi Stars’ Yakeen Muteheli and Staphod Odhiambo have earned their first national call-ups.
Notable Omissions
While the squad is brimming with promise, the absence of certain stars has sparked debate. Defenders Brian Okoth and Brian Eshihanda, as well as midfielder Marvine Nabwire, were left out despite strong domestic campaigns. Okoth in particular, who has been included in the FKF team of the season, is the most high-profile omission for the team.
Kenya’s CHAN journey will be anything but easy. Drawn into a formidable Group A, the Harambee Stars will face former champions Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia. All group matches will be played at Nairobi’s iconic Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, giving Kenya the advantage of home support as they aim to reach at least the Round of 16.
Full Harambee Stars CHAN 2024 Provisional Squad
With a squad packed with in-form local talent and the advantage of playing on home soil, Kenya’s prospects at CHAN 2024 are brighter than ever. While the group is tough, the unity and hunger of this homegrown team could see the Harambee Stars make a deep and memorable run in their maiden CHAN appearance.
Goalkeepers:
- Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari)
- Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks)
- Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)
Defenders:
- Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC)
- Manzur Suleiman (KCB)
- Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)
- Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC)
- Abud Omar (Kenya Police)
- Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police)
- Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia)
- Michael Kibwage (Tusker)
- Kevin Okumu (KCB)
- Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards)
Midfielders:
- Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia)
- Brian Musa (Kenya Police)
- Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards)
- Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
- Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars)
- Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia)
- Mathias Isogoli (KCB)
- Keith Imbali (Shabana)
Forwards:
- Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police)
- Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars)
- Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz)
- Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)
- David Sakwa (Bandari)
- Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta)
- Beja Nyamawi (Bandari)
- Edward Omondi (Sofapaka)
- Ryan Ogam (Tusker)