New Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has included the little-known William Lenkupae in the provisional squad ahead of the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Gambia.The central midfielder plays professional football with Australia’s A-League side Central Coast Mariners.The 23-year-old becomes the latest player with Kenyan roots to earn a Stars call-up ahead of a major assignment.McCarthy’s predecessor Engin Firat managed to entice several European-born players to play for the Kenyan team with Daniel Anyembe being the biggest success story.The first leg will be played against Gambia on March 20 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with the return leg set for Nairobi on March 24.##NAJAVA_MECA_8762672##The squad is a blend of seasoned players and promising young talent, reflecting McCarthy’s strategy for the two pivotal fixtures. Among the young prospects called up are Edward Omondi, Ben Stanley, Kelly Madada, and Andreas Odhiambo.”This Wednesday will mark my first camp with local-based players to assess their quality for the upcoming CHAN and potentially identify additions for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon,” McCarthy stated.The players are expected to report to camp on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, to begin their preparations for the important matches ahead.BREAKING: Benni McCarthy names Harambee Stars’ squad to play Gambia and GabonProvisional SquadGoalkeepersBrian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)DefendersSylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC), Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa), Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz fc), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims), Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch), Amos Nondi (Ararat)MidfieldersBrian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB FC), Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Richard Odada (OFK Beograd), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague), Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji), Amos Nondi (FC Ararat), Eric Johanna (UTA Arad), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad), Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)ForwardsBoniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC), Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), Eric Balecho (Tusker FC), Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC), Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars), John Avire (Porto Suez), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail), Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji), Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)Charles Okere sympathises with Tusker fans after shock Mozzart Bet Cup exit
