McCarthy names three debutants in Harambee Stars squad for CHAN

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has included three new players in the national team squad ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be hosted in East Africa for the first time.

The trio of Keith Imbali from Shabana FC, and Ulinzi Stars pair Yakeen Muteheli and Staphod Odhiambo have been called up for the first time.

These fresh faces have impressed in the FKF Premier League and will now have a chance to represent Kenya on the continental stage.

Midfielder Imbali has been one of Shabana’s standout players this season, while Muteheli and Odhiambo have played key roles in Ulinzi Stars’ strong league campaign.

Their inclusion shows  McCarthy’s intention to build a squad based on current form and give local talent a chance to shine.

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McCarthy’s provisional team is made up entirely of players who play in the local top league, as CHAN only allows footballers based in their home countries.

Top scorers Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), and Ryan Ogam (Tusker) have all been picked after excellent seasons in front of goal. Shummah leads the trio with 17 goals, while Osoro and Ogam have scored 16 and 15 respectively.

Sofapaka striker Edward Omondi also earns a spot after a strong season. Kenya Police’s Mohammed Bajaber adds skill in midfield, joining established names like Alpha Onyango and Austine Odhiambo of Gor Mahia.

This year’s tournament will be historic for Kenya, as it will be the first time the country takes part in CHAN. Kenya last featured in a major continental event in 2019 at the Africa Cup of Nations but failed to reach the knockout stages.

McCarthy and his team hope to do better this time, especially with some matches being played on home soil.

Stars will begin their CHAN journey on August 3 against DR Congo at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium. Other group matches will be against Angola, Morocco, and Zambia.

The tournament will run from August 2 to August 30, and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

The team is set to begin training camp on July 10 as preparations get underway.

Goalkeepers
Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)

Defenders
Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Manzur Suleiman (KCB), Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police),Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibwage (Tusker), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Kevin Okumu (KCB)

Midfielder
Brian Musa( Kenya Police), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB), Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia)

Forwards
Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), David Sakwa (Bandari), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Ryan Ogam (Tusker),Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari)