Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has named a 24-man Harambee Stars squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against South Africa: away at Orlando Stadium, Soweto on Friday 13 November and at home at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi on Tuesday 17 November. Captain Michael Olunga and defender Eric “Marcelo” Ouma return from long injuries. Joseph Okumu and Daniel Anyembe were cut from the provisional list.
McCarthy has cut his 36-man provisional list to 24 for Kenya’s double-header against Bafana Bafana, a match with an extra edge because McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time leading scorer. Kenya are already qualified for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, but they are still looking for their first win of the qualifying campaign.
Harambee Stars squad vs South Africa (24 players)
Goalkeepers (3)
- Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia)
- Brian Bwire (Tusker FC)
- Faruk Shikalo (Nairobi United)
Defenders (9)
- Abud Omar (Tusker FC)
- Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
- Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia)
- Amos Wanjala (Valencia)
- Eric “Marcelo” Ouma (Raków Częstochowa)
- Stanley Wilson (AIK)
- Vincent Harper (Exeter City)
- Rooney Onyango (Sogndal)
- Hannif Wesonga (Jamus FC)
Midfielders (4)
- Manzur Okwaro (Stade de Reims)
- Alwyn Tera (Ararat-Armenia)
- Henry Ochieng (Slough Town)
- Zak Vyner (Wrexham)
Forwards (8)
- Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi), captain
- Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad)
- Mohammed Bajaber (Nairobi United)
- Will Lenkupae (Tulsa)
- Adam Wilson (The New Saints)
- Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia)
- Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège)
- Micah Obiero (Carlisle United)
Key talking points
- Olunga is back: the captain returns after about five months out with a pelvic injury that needed surgery. He gives Kenya their main goal threat again.
- Marcelo Ouma returns: the Raków Częstochowa defender is back after recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in August 2025.
- Zak Vyner is available: the Wrexham player joined Kenya’s camp earlier in the campaign but could not play while his nationality paperwork was finalised.
- Okumu and Anyembe miss out: both were in the provisional squad but are not in the final 24. Okumu has only recently returned from a long knee injury.
- A mix of home and overseas players: players come from Kenya’s league (Gor Mahia, Tusker, Nairobi United) as well as Spain, England, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium and the USA.
Dropped from the provisional squad (12)
Alpha Onyango, Chrispine Erambo, Michael Kibwage, Kevin Wangaya, Lawrence Okoth, Ian Otieno, Caleb Kramer, Daniel Anyembe, Deon Woodman, Joseph Okumu, Marvin Nabwire and Aldrine Kibet.
Match details
| Match | Date | Venue | Kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇿🇦 South Africa v Kenya 🇰🇪 | Fri 13 Nov 2026 | Orlando Stadium, Soweto | 19:00 EAT · 18:00 SAST |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya v South Africa 🇿🇦 | Tue 17 Nov 2026 | Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi | 19:00 EAT · 18:00 SAST |
Group D table before the games
| Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | 2 | +6 | 6 |
| 🇬🇳 Guinea | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya (host) | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| 🇪🇷 Eritrea | 2 | -5 | 1 |
Kenya are already qualified as co-hosts, so Group D’s one other qualifying place is a race between South Africa and Guinea. Every point Kenya take from Bafana helps Guinea. Read our full South Africa v Kenya preview.
Frequently asked questions
Who is in the Kenya squad against South Africa?
Benni McCarthy named 24 players, including captain Michael Olunga, Eric “Marcelo” Ouma, Zak Vyner, Manzur Okwaro, Ryan Ogam and goalkeepers Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire and Faruk Shikalo.
Is Joseph Okumu in the Harambee Stars squad?
No. Okumu was named in the 36-man provisional squad but is not in the final 24 for the South Africa games.
When do Kenya play South Africa?
South Africa host Kenya on Friday 13 November 2026 at Orlando Stadium, Soweto. Kenya host South Africa on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, at 19:00 EAT.
More: South Africa v Kenya preview · Qualifiers table · Nigeria v Tanzania preview