Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has named a provisional squad of 36 players, including Joseph Okumu (Stade de Reims), back after a long injury, and Michael Olunga (Al Arabi) up front for the double header against South Africa.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) published on Thursday 29 October 2026 a provisional squad of 36 players for the two CAF 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa, reports Spoti. A provisional list signed by Benni McCarthy, the Harambee Stars coach, who has yet to name his final version.
The Kenya coach must contend with a Group D campaign that has started badly: one point from two games for Kenya. The return of Joseph Okumu (Stade de Reims) after a long injury and the presence of Michael Olunga (Al Arabi) at the head of the attack are the main takeaways from this first selection.
Okumu and Otieno recalled
The Stade de Reims defender returns to the Kenya squad after a long spell out injured, according to GhanaMMA. Goalkeeper Ian Otieno (Richards Bay) is also recalled.
The provisional squad includes 5 goalkeepers, 13 defenders and 7 midfielders, specifies The Eastleigh Voice. Zak Vyner (Wrexham), Amos Wanjala (Valencia) and Vincent Harper (Exeter City) are on the list; Manzur Okwaro (Stade de Reims) strengthens the midfield, alongside Englishman Henry Ochieng (Slough Town), his club’s captain.
Olunga up front
Up front, Michael Olunga (Al Arabi) leads the attacking line, according to GhanaMMA. The Harambee Stars captain will be joined by Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad) and Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo), also named among the forwards, both plying their trade in Spain.
Kenya have taken just one point from two games, drawing 1-1 at home against Eritrea before losing 0-1 in Guinea, in Conakry (The Eastleigh Voice). South Africa, meanwhile, top Group D with 6 points, thanks to their 2-1 win over Guinea and 5-0 win over Eritrea.
Double header schedule
Kenya have already qualified automatically for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which they will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania, as Spoti and Flashscore point out. They are nonetheless playing the qualifiers.
The first match will be played in South Africa, in Johannesburg, but the date divides sources: 11 or 13 November 2026 depending on the outlet. The return leg is set for 17 November 2026 at 19:00 local time at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
The final squad is to be announced before the start of preparations.