Kenya Names Provisional Squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
May 20, 2024
By Samuel Ouma
Kenya's coach Engin Firat
Kenya's men's football head coach, Engin Firat, has named 25 players in his provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
Among the new faces is Kenya Police defender Brian Okoth, who has shown exemplary performance in the local league. Gor Mahia's Austine Odhiambo, the current top assist provider in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League this season, has also received a call-up.
Tobias Knost, who plays in Germany with SV Verl, and Bruce Kamau, who plays for Perth Glory in Australia, are also included in the squad. Adam Wilson, who plays for Bradford City in England, also earned his maiden national team call-up.
Duke Abuya and Elvis Rupia also return to the fold after missing the team’s last assignments at the four-nation tournament in Malawi.
The team starts preparations for the qualifiers tomorrow, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nairobi.
Kenya plays Burundi on June 7, 2024, before facing the reigning Africa Cup of Nations winners, Ivory Coast, on June 11, 2024.
The East African nation will play its home matches at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The Nyayo National Stadium and the Kasarani Stadium, Kenya's only stadiums provisionally approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches, are no longer available, prompting this move.
Both are undergoing renovations ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.
“We did our best to have a venue close to Kenya. We got in touch with the Federations of Tanzania and Uganda, but it was impossible to get a venue there because they are booked,” said FKF President Nick Mwendwa.
“Every team always wishes to play their home matches at home. This is something I would not have wanted (to play home matches away from home). Nonetheless, I am appealing to Kenyans to remain positive and support the team,” added the FKF President.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Boniphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia)
John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania), Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azeberijan), Duke Abuya (IHEFU, Tanzania), Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia)
Forwards
John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC, Egypt), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Elvis Rupia (IHEFU, Tanzania)
