Kenya look to the future with squad selections for friendlies

Kenya will be one of the three East African co-hosts of the tournament and has two years in which to fine-tune their team to make a competitive bid for glory.

Having failed to qualify for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, and also miss out on World Cup qualification, McCarthy is now using matches to look at developing new talent and both Aldrine Kibet and Baron Ochieng are in the squad for the first time for friendly matches against Madagascar and Comoros in Antalya, Turkey.

The Harambee Stars will first face Madagascar on November 14, before taking on Comoros four days later.

The 18-year-old Kibet, who was signed by Spanish LaLiga outfit Celta Vigo in mid-year, has impressed as an attacking midfielder in Kenya’s national junior teams.

Right back Baron Ochieng, 19, signed a four-year contract at Zamalek in Egypt two months ago.

McCarthy has also recalled striker Ovella Ochieng after he helped Nairobi City reach the group phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup but left out Qatar-based striker Michael Olunga.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire (Polokwane City, South Africa), Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)

Defenders: Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Vincent Harper (Walsall, England), Baron Ochieng (Zamalek, Egypt), Alphonce Omija (Etoile Sahel, Tunisia), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal, Norway), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Manzur Suleiman (Nairobi United),

Midfielders: Duke Abuya (Young Africans, Tanzania), Marvin Nabwire (Police FC), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznan)

Attackers: Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren, Scotland), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo, Spain), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad, Spain), Ovella Ochieng (Nairobi United), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger, Austria), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki, Finland), Adam Wilson (New Saints), William Lenkupae Wilson (Vaasan Palloseura, Finland).