Kenya Names FIFA Series Squad, Olunga Misses Out
Kenya's Harambee Stars announce squad for FIFA Series in Kigali, Rwanda, without captain Michael Olunga. Team faces Estonia on March 27.
“Additionally, the following players are unavailable for selection during this international...”
Kenya's national team coach Benni McCarthy has dropped captain Michael Olunga from the squad for the upcoming FIFA Series in Kigali, Rwanda. The team will face Estonia at the Amahoro Stadium on March 27.
Olunga, who plays for Al Arabi in the Qatar Stars League, was omitted without explanation, but coach McCarthy is looking to integrate younger players into the team. The striker has had mixed performances for Kenya, scoring six goals and providing two assists in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Harambee Stars' next match hinges on Rwanda vs Grenada's outcome. Meanwhile, the South African legend has announced his 23-man squad, with some changes from the provisional list.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has made adjustments to the national team squad due to injuries and unavailability of several players. This has led to a revised travelling squad, with the technical bench making the necessary changes.
Some key players who have been ruled out include captain Michael Olunga, Alpha Onyango, and Rooney Onyango, all of whom are nursing injuries. The team's coach, Benni McCarthy, has expressed concerns about the impact of these injuries on the team's performance.
Olunga Misses Shot at Record
Michael Olunga, chasing a national team record with 34 goals, was dropped from the Harambee Stars squad. He's one goal shy of William Ouma's record.
Other dropped players include Byrne Omondi, Erick Ouma, Joseph Okumu, and more.
“Additionally, the following players are unavailable for selection during this international window: Daniel Anyembe, Zak Vyner,” added the statement from FKF.
Kenya's Harambee Stars are set to jet off to Kigali on Tuesday, ready to take on Estonia and other opponents in the FIFA Series. They're using this tournament to prep for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 2027 AFCON is set to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18. This will be the first time three countries are hosting the tournament.
It'll also be the first time the CECAFA region hosts in five decades, since Ethiopia did back in 1976.
The 2026 FIFA Series is a friendly tournament featuring national teams from different confederations, giving Kenya a chance to play diverse opponents. It's the second edition of this FIFA-promoted event.
Kenya's matches will be part of a format where winners of the opening games face each other, and losers play each other.
The FIFA Series got the green light from the FIFA Council in Dec 2022, aligning with FIFA's 2023-27 Strategic Objectives.
The 2026 edition kicks off with 48 national teams, split into 12 groups of four, representing almost a quarter of FIFA's 211 members.
Kenya fixtures in Rwanda
Kenya vs Estonia (March 27 | 6PM | Amahoro Stadium)
Winner M1 vs Winner M2 (March 30 | 9PM | Amahoro Stadium)
Loser M1 vs Loser M2 (March 30 | 6PM | Amahoro Stadium)
Your #HarambeeStars squad for the FIFA Series in Rwanda
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 13, 2026
Read more 👉 https://t.co/aMvS0aKaQr pic.twitter.com/odTZQrY2KD
Final 23-man Kenya squad for FIFA Series
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire, Ian Otieno.
Defenders: Manzur Okwaro, Aboud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari.
Midfielders: Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Richard Odada, Chrispine Erambo, Austine Odhiambo, Will Lenkupae, Mohammed Bajaber.
Forwards: Job Ochieng, Zech Obiero, Clarke Oduor, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth, Ben Stanley.
Back in Camp👊#HarambeeStars #FIFASeries pic.twitter.com/ls0y8r1p6M
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) March 23, 2026
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