The first match for Kenya will be played on Saturday, June 7th, before the two sides meet again on Tuesday, June 10th at the same venue. This will mark the third and fourth matches that coach Benni McCarthy will be taking charge of Harambee Stars.
The South African legend oversaw his first two matches when Kenya featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March. Kenya, who are pooled in Group F, first played Gambia away in their matchday five fixture, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw before they returned home to suffer a 2-1 defeat against Gabon.
When is the Kenya versus Chad game and how can you watch?
Kenya’s first match against Chad will be played on Saturday, June 7th at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco. The game will kick off at 18:00 (Kenyan time). The second friendly will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, June 10th, and will kick off at 18:00 (Kenyan time).
The game will be live on FKF Media channels on social media.
Kenya squad for the friendly matches
With Kenya Police FC midfielder Mohammed Bajaber the latest to be ruled out owing to an injury, coach McCarthy was forced to travel with a squad of 23 players. In the goalkeeping area, McCarthy will select his first choice from Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, and Sepstianos Wekesa.
The defenders, who travelled include Brian Mandela, Alphoce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Siraj Mohammed, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari, Swaleh Pamba, Lewis Bandi, while the midfield has Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Ben Stanley Omondi, Boniface Muchiri, William Lenkupae, Adam Wilson, James Kinyanjui, and David Sakwa.
Beja Nyamawi, Moses Shumah, and Emmanuel Osoro are the strikers in Morocco with Harambee Stars. Earlier on, McCarthy had recalled former captain Victor Wanyama from retirement, but the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder turned down the call, citing family commitments in the United Kingdom.
McCarthy has, however, promised to consider Wanyama for future assignments while calling on Kenyans to have respect for the player.
“You know Victor (Wanyama) is somebody that this country has to respect. When it comes to football, he’s one of the players who puts Kenya's name very high up on the map with his exploits at Celtic, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, together with Michael (Olunga), you know, and even Mariga,” McCarthy told Flashscore before the team left for Morocco.
“So yeah, I think for me, to have the opportunity to give someone like that a chance back into the national team squad but also from the younger players that you bring in for them to learn from someone like Wanyama because it is better to learn from someone that has played at the highest level.”
McCarthy concluded: “It is not just playing at the highest level, but he has achieved so much as well, so you know I think that was the reason for my inclusion of Wanyama, but unfortunately, family matters came in the way, but there will be other opportunities.”
Kenyan players raring to go against Chad
Harambee Stars assistant coach Anthony Kimnai has revealed the team’s readiness to face Chad in the two build-up matches. This will be the first time Kenya will play against Chad in all competitions.
“The mood in camp is great, and every player, who has been selected is trying to give his best, I think they are giving us a very good headache as the technical bench, about, who to select, to start the game against Chad,” Kimani told Flashscore.
“So, everyone is raring to go, everyone is showing the coach that they want to represent us come June 7th against Chad, and as I said earlier on, it is a good headache for us as the technical bench.”
On the team selection for the matches, Kimani explained: “We have selected the best squad at the moment, and of course as the coach said, there is more room for more players to come on board, so the once, who have been selected this time round, have got a very good opportunity to show the coach what they have got so that they can be part of the team going forward.
“But that does not shut the door, the national team is always a revolving door, any player that is still doing very well outside there, I am pretty sure he is going to catch the eye of the coach and will be part of the team, going forward.”
On his message to the fans ahead of the two friendly matches, Kimani offered: “First of all, is to thank them, I know they have always stood by the team, they have pushed the team, and they have always supported the team, and I urge them to continue doing the same, the players are giving their best, the technical is also trying to do their best to make sure we get positive result, so I urge them to keep supporting the team, and I am pretty sure we are not going to disappoint them.”
While Kenya drew and lost in their last two matches, Chad lost both their two World Cup qualifiers. They suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Ghana before losing 1-0 against Comoros in their matchday six contest at Stade Municipal de Berkane.
