According to a statement from Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Harambee Stars will first face Madagascar on November 14th, before taking on Comoros four days later on November 18th, in Antalya, Turkey.
The two build up matches will come just a month after Kenya played their last 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast. Harambee Stars defeated the Swallows of Burundi 1-0 away before losing 3-0 against the African champions.
However, Kenya failed to qualify for the World Cup after finishing Group F in fourth position with 12 points from 10 matches. Kenya managed three wins, three draws and suffered four defeats.
Ivory Coast, who topped the group with 26 points earned automatic qualification while Gabon will play against Nigeria in a two-legged play-off to determine who qualifies for the global tournament that will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in three North American countries.
Aldrine Kibet receives first senior team call-up
During the World Cup qualifying campaign, the biggest goal contributions for Kenya came from captain Olunga with six goals and two assists in total. However, Olunga, who features for Al Arabi in the Qatar Stars League has been overlooked for the two matches.
Meanwhile, McCarthy has included in the provisional team young talent Aldrine Kibet. The creative midfielder’s inclusion comes on the back of impressive performances at club level and with the youth national teams.
Also included in the squad is Zamalek’s Baron Ochieng, another promising young talent. Making a notable return to the squad is Ovella Ochieng, who re-joins the national team fold after an extended absence, bringing pace and attacking flair to the Stars’ forward line.
Final squad for Turkey trip:
Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC).
Defenders: Vincent Harper (Walsall), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Etoile Du Sahel), Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal), Manzur Suleiman (Nairobi United), Baron Ochieng (Zamalek).
Midfielders: Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznań), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), and Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia).
Strikers: William Lenkupae (VPS), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo), Ovellah Ochieng (Nairobi United), Jonah Ayunga (ST Mirren), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki).
