The thought of the Harambee Stars provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast having glaring errors couldn’t be ignored after the list was made public on Friday afternoon.The absence of skipper Michael Olunga and influential midfielder Richard Odada from the list triggered the question: did the FKF Communications department err in writing down the list?Mozzart Sport sought quick answers from FKF and confirmed that the duo, indeed, didn’t make Firat’s provisional squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8109618##Given the duo’s influence on the national team, their experience, and the task lying in wait for the national team, they were expected to pick from where they left off in the March international break, where Kenya won the Four Nations tournament in Malawi.”That is the list Coach Firat forwarded. He will give his reasons in the press conference to be held later,” said Ken Okaka, FKF’s head of communications.However, the coach has retained most of the players who triumphed at the four-nation tournament in Malawi in March while calling up some new faces.Perth Glory striker Bruce Kamau is among the players to have been handed a maiden call-up to the Kenya national team ahead of the crucial matches.Inside Cheche’s tactical masterpiece that outclassed Ethiopia in U17 World Cup QualiferBorn on March 28, 1995, Kamau moved to Australia at the age of 4.Among the new additions is Kenya Police defender Brian Okoth, who has been impressive since joining the club in the mid-season transfer window from FC Talanta.Former Gor midfielder John Ochieng, who plays professional football in Zambia with Zanaco, has also secured his first call-up.Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo, who has the most assists in the FKF Premier League this season, makes the list after apparently putting aside their differences with the expert.Additionally, the coach has summoned Tobias Knost, who plies his trade in Germany with SV Verl and Adam Wilson, who plays for Bradford City in EnglandDuke Abuya and Elvis Rupia also return to the fold after missing the team’s last assignments at the four-nation tournament in Malawi.Meanwhile, Police leftback Abud Omar is back in the team after being dropped on the eve of the team’s travel to Malawi for the Four Nations tournament.It was widely reported that Omar was dropped alongside the Romania-based Eric Johanna after the pair exchanged blows over an unspecified issue.Another notable absentee is Denmark-based right-footed defender Daniel Anyembe, who has been in great form, producing three goal cntirbutions for his club in the last four matches. Owino over the moon after securing second league title at Gor MahiaProvisional SquadGoalkeepersPatrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Boniphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia)DefendersJohnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), Alphonse Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Brian Okoth (Kenya Police), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Tobias Knost (SV Verl, Germany)MidfieldersJohn Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania), Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azeberijan), Duke Abuya (Singida, Tanzania), Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia)ForwardsJohn Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC, Egypt), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), and Elvis Rupia (Singida, Tanzania)
