AFC Leopards will be back in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League action this weekend with another opportunity to underline their title credentials, but the club continues to face an uncomfortable question away from the domestic competition: why are none of its players featuring in the current Harambee Stars setup?

The concern has become increasingly noticeable as arch-rivals Gor Mahia continue to supply several players to the national team.

For the November 2026 international window, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy named a squad for Kenya’s two AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against South Africa, with Gor Mahia contributing four players goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, defenders Frank Odhiambo and Sylvester Owino, and midfielder Alpha Onyango replacing injured Ben Stanley.

AFC Leopards, on the other hand, have no representative in the final squad.

That development is unlikely to sit comfortably with Ingwe, particularly given the club’s impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign and its continued ambition to challenge Gor Mahia for domestic honours.

Common scenario

The issue is not entirely new.

AFC Leopards officials have repeatedly questioned the national-team selection process after their players were overlooked despite the club’s strong performances. Secretary General Isaac Mulindi was particularly critical in October, arguing that it was difficult to understand how a team that finished second in the previous league campaign could fail to produce even one player for the senior national side.

Chairman Boniface Ambani has also previously urged McCarthy to watch more AFC Leopards matches, arguing that closer observation could give the coach a better assessment of the club’s players.

The latest squad therefore presents another frustrating chapter for Ingwe.

There is also a practical dimension to the situation. When clubs have several players called up for international duty, their league commitments can be affected depending on the applicable competition regulations and the number of players involved. Gor Mahia’s larger contribution to the national team has historically placed the club in a different position from teams that provide few or no players.

However, the current weekend schedule does not give Gor Mahia a free pass from league football.

According to the published Round Seven programme, Gor Mahia are scheduled to face 3K FC on Sunday, November 15, at 3K’s home venue. AFC Leopards will also be in action on the same day when they host Mombasa United at Wang’uru Stadium, with kick-off set for 3:30pm.

The fixture list means both Mashemeji Derby rivals are expected to balance domestic responsibilities with the ongoing international window.

For AFC Leopards, however, the bigger concern could be what the absence of their players from Harambee Stars means for their long-term national-team ambitions.

The club has several players who have been considered capable of breaking into the national setup, yet McCarthy’s latest selection once again contains no Ingwe player. The omission contrasts sharply with Gor Mahia’s four-man contribution and could intensify the debate about whether AFC Leopards players are receiving sufficient scrutiny from the national-team technical bench.

The timing is particularly significant because Kenya are preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Harambee Stars facing South Africa in Johannesburg on Friday, November 13, 2026, before the return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday, November 17.

With the domestic season now underway, AFC Leopards will have to concentrate on proving their players’ quality on the pitch.

Ingwe enter the weekend third in the FKF Premier League standings on 10 points from six matches, while Gor Mahia are second with 13 points, same as leaders KCB.

AFC Leopards’ immediate task is therefore straightforward: beat Mombasa United, maintain their challenge near the top of the table and give McCarthy more reasons to look in their direction.

For a club that has repeatedly complained about being overlooked by Harambee Stars, strong performances may ultimately provide the most convincing response.