Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has named a provisional 36-man squad for the double-header against South Africa on 13 and 17 November. Kenya international defender Joseph Okumu and captain Michael Olunga are both included.
The Kenya head coach has made public a provisional 36-man squad, in Group D of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, according to The Star as reported by Footafrica. It comes ahead of two matches against South Africa on 13 and 17 November.
Okumu features in a defensive unit that also includes Eric Ouma, Abud Omar, Vincent Harper, Stanley Wilson and Rooney Onyango, according to Footafrica. Captain Michael Olunga and Gor Mahia midfielder Alpha Onyango are also named.
A two-part schedule
Kenya travel first on 13 November, before hosting at 19:00 on 17 November at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, according to The Star. The two matches are four days apart.
Kenya began their Group D campaign with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea at the Nyayo, before losing 1-0 in Guinea, in Conakry. Two matches, just one point.
South Africa setting the pace
South Africa top the group with six points, after 2-1 wins over Guinea and 5-0 over Eritrea, according to Footafrica. Kenya, for their part, are still chasing their first victory.
McCarthy sets the tone
McCarthy has no intention of simply making up the numbers. “We have to approach these matches with the right mindset. South Africa have quality and experience, but we have to believe in ourselves and play to our strengths. We are not going there just to take part,” he told The Star.
Kenya have already qualified for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, according to The Star.
The squad, published on 3 November, includes Okumu, Olunga and Alpha Onyango, the Gor Mahia midfielder.
The Nairobi date
The first match is played on 13 November in South Africa. The return is scheduled for 17 November at 19:00 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
For now, Kenya are yet to win in Group D, while South Africa, at the top, already have six points.