Listen to article

The inclusion of the seven players provides additional depth across the defensive, midfield and attacking departments as Kenya prepares for the challenging assignment.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled his final 25-man squad for Kenya's upcoming back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures against South Africa, with seven new faces earning places in the team.

The latest selection features several fresh additions who were absent from the previous assignments against Eritrea and Guinea, as McCarthy looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the highly anticipated double-header against Bafana Bafana.

The seven new additions are Erick Marcelo Ouma of RKS Rakow, Zak Vyner of Wrexham, Alwyn Tera of Ararat-Armenia, Henry Ochieng of Slough Town, Adam Wilson of New Saints, William Lenkupae of Tulsa and Sylvester Owino of Gor Mahia.

The inclusion of the seven players provides additional depth across the defensive, midfield and attacking departments as Kenya prepares for the challenging assignment.

Captain Michael Olunga headlines the attacking department, with the Al-Arabi forward returning to lead Kenya's offensive ambitions.

He will be joined by Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad, Mohammed Bajaber of Nairobi United, Will Lenkupae of Tulsa, Adam Wilson of New Saints, Ben Stanley of Gor Mahia, Ryan Ogam of RFC Luttich and Micah Obiero of Carlisle.

The squad also features experienced goalkeeper Byrne Omondi of Gor Mahia, alongside Brian Bwire of Tusker and Faruk Shikalo of Nairobi United.

Full Harambee Stars Squad

Goalkeepers

Byrne Omondi – Gor Mahia

Brian Bwire – Tusker

Faruk Shikalo – Nairobi United

Defenders

Abud Omar – Tusker

Frank Odhiambo – Gor Mahia

Amos Wanjala – Valencia

Sylvester Owino – Gor Mahia

Eric Marcelo Ouma – RKS Rakow

Stanley Wilson – AIK

Vincent Harper – Exeter City

Ronney Onyango – Sogndal FC

Hannif Wesonga – Jamus FC

Midfielders

Manzur Okwaro – Stade Reims

Alwyn Tera – Ararat-Armenia

Henry Ochieng – Slough Town

Zak Vyner – Wrexham

Forwards

Job Ochieng – Real Sociedad

Mohammed Bajaber – Nairobi United

Will Lenkupae – Tulsa

Adam Wilson – New Saints

Ben Stanley – Gor Mahia

Michael Olunga – Al-Arabi

Ryan Ogam – RFC Luttich

Micah Obiero – Carlisle

Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango has been left out of the final Harambee Stars squad to face South Africa.

Kenya will face South Africa away at Orlando Stadium on November 13 before hosting Bafana Bafana in the return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on November 17.

The two encounters present an important test for McCarthy, who will be keen to demonstrate the progress made by the national team while giving the newly selected players an opportunity to prove their worth on the international stage.