Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat on Tuesday 27 August named his 28-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, headlined with the return of some key players who missed out in the previous list, and some notable omissions too.Among the key returnees for the September clashes against Zimbabwe and Namibia will be Stade Reims centre-back Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma, Collins Sichenje, and Jonah Ayunga.Marcelo, Okumu return as Engin Firat names Harambee Stars squad for AFCON qualifiersAnd while there are more positives this time as compared to the June international window in terms of player availability, some names were still missing from Firat’s list.We look at some of them here:Daniel AnyembePerhaps the biggest name missing is Anyembe, who has so far racked in eight national team appearances for Kenya and was recently a starter in June’s twin matches.Naturally a right-back, Anyembe played as a centre back in Kenya’s game against Ivory Coast and was highly expected to make the squad for two pivotal matches in September.But speaking to Mozzart Sport earlier this month, Firat said: “We have invited our foreign-based players, and already we are experiencing some problems with their availability. Anyembe will not be available again.”The word ‘again’ will be up for questions should the head coach call for a press conference which has been his norm.Tobias KnostAmong the new names called up for Kenya in the June international window was 24-year-old Tobias Knost, who was expected to fill in one of the centre back positions then.However, a chance at experimenting with the defender was thwarted when he failed to make both games against Burundi and Ivory Coast for “documentation issues”, signalling his return to Germany, where he plays for German third-tier side SC Verl.Hailed as an ‘absolute team player’, one would wonder what impact he would have brought into the team, or maybe his exclusions mean: that documents are still not in order.Introducing Engin Firat’s latest Arsenal for Harambee Stars: Tobias Knost, Bruce Kamau, and Adam WilsonBruce KamauAfter being courted for eight years, Australia-based Bruce Kamau finally asked for a call-up in June and was duly handed a spot in the provisional squad.However, an expectation of finally dorning a national team shirt was quickly dashed, as the forward was dropped by Firat, and is once again back where he was: nowhere near.Engin Firat discusses on what led to Bruce Kamau’s Harambee Stars call-UpAyub TimbeAnother name who enjoyed some time with the national team but missing from the September squad is Ayub Timbe.His lack of playing time seems to have factored in Firat’s decision as he told Mozzart Sport recently: “Timbe has not been playing for some time due to a lack of a club. We will certainly be limited offensively and inexperienced.” Mozzart Sport however understands that the 31-year-old in the past months signed for Turkish division two side Ankaraspor Kulubu on a two-year deal.Zak VynerAnother name that could have potentially made the squad is Bristol City defender Zak Vyner, who also landed a callup during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.##NAJAVA_MECA_8298137##As per Firat, the issues plaguing him last time – documentation – are still unresolved.“About Zak, I need a green light and it still has not been sorted.”But even with the forced omissions, Firat now has himself an open book to pick from – especially defensively – as the team heads into camp.
