Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy on Tuesday, 27 May, unveiled his provisional squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Chad, with both matches set to be played in Morocco on Saturday, 7 and Tuesday, 10 June.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsMcCarthy, who is keen on building a squad with one eye on the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, which Kenya will co-host in August, named a mix of youth and experience. A significant number of players have been drawn from the FKF Premier League, signalling his intent to assess locally based talent for the CHAN competition.##NAJAVA_MECA_8952915##The biggest headline from the squad announcement was the surprise return of former national team captain Victor Wanyama, four years after he retired from international football. Other experienced names include Abud Omar and Brian Mandela. Promising newcomers such as Simeon Nyamwaya and Emmanuel Osoro have earned their maiden call-ups.But as Kenya prepares for these friendlies, attention naturally shifts to the quality of their opponents, and on paper, Chad appears to pose little threat.A look at newly upgraded Raila Odinga Stadium set to host Mashemeji Derby [VIDEO]Chad’s national team, nicknamed the “Sao”, is among the lowest-ranked sides in global football. Currently positioned 177th out of 210 in the latest FIFA rankings, Chad has been a perennial underdog on the African scene. Their poor track record means they regularly feature in preliminary qualification rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup, facing off against fellow minnows before getting a shot at stronger opposition.##NAJAVA_MECA_8952668##The statistics are damning: Chad has not won a single competitive or friendly match in over a year. Even more alarming is that over the past nine years, they have played 34 matches and managed just three wins. The team has never qualified for AFCON or any other major international tournament. Their sole moment of footballing glory came in 2014, when they lifted the regional CEMAC Cup after defeating Congo (Brazzaville) 3–2 in the final.Ken Kenyatta overwhelmed after players chip in to cover his medical billGiven their dismal form and lack of competitive edge, questions arise over the value of these friendlies for Kenya. Whether these games will help sharpen Harambee Stars’ edge or merely pad their win column remains to be seen.Provisional Harambee Stars squadGoalkeepersFaruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Sepstianos Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City FC)DefendersSiraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Swaleh Pamba (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia FC), Kenneth Nyamwaya (Bidco United FC), Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch FC)MidfieldersVictor Wanyama (Dunfermline Athletic FC), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Timothy Ouma (SK Slavia Prague), Brian Musa (Kenya Police FC), Ben Stanley Omondi (Gor Mahia), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC), David Sakwa (Bandari FC), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Adam Wilson (The New Saints FC), William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners FC)ForwardsMoses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta)Benni McCarthy recalls Victor Wanyama to Harambee Stars squad
