Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy unveiled his provisional squad for the 2024 CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Wednesday, 2 July.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsSeveral big players and top performers from the just-concluded season were missing from the 31-man squad, which will still be reduced further.The tournament, which is a preserve for players competing in their respective domestic leagues, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from Saturday, 2 to Saturday, 30 August.Harambee Stars to feature in build up tournament ahead of CHANAs expected, the squad has elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans as expressed in various media platforms.The reactions have also included FKF Premier League club Shabana FC, who have joined their fans in expressing the displeasure in the omission of their top scorer by posting his season’s statistics.Mozzart Sport looks at eight players who were overlooked by McCarthy, the list including both experienced players and those who knocked hard on McCarthy’s door.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002684##Brian Michira – Shabana FCShabana’s Brian Michira’s omission came as a shock to many as the forward was one of the top performers of the season and arguably the most important player at his club.Michira has once again been left out of McCarthy’s squad, with the coach overlooking him since he took charge of the national team despite Michira’s form.Shabana fans led the online outrage over Michira’s omission with the winger trending at number one on X (formerly Twitter) for the better part of Wednesday morning.Gor Mahia players demand exit from club after poor seasonShabana also joined the outrage through the club’s social media platforms, where they opted to post his numbers in the season.Michira scored a total of 17 goals and eight assists throughout the season, 12 of the goals coming in the league.Marvin Nabwire – Kenya Police FCKenya Police FC midfielder Marvin Nabwire is another shocking omission from the Harambee Stars provisional squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000831##Nabwire has not only been one of the best players for Police this season but also one of the best in the league, helping the club win their maiden FKF Premier League title.The former AFC Leopards captain had a renaissance season, working hard to get to his best form after spending the better part of the previous three seasons nursing a nagging injury.Brian Okoth – Kenya Police FCBrian Okoth was arguably the best player for Police FC and is a top contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).Leonard Odipo reveals trio who could have made Harambee Stars’ CHAN squadThe ball-playing center back has been a constant figure at the heart of the law enforcers’ defense, helping the team to concede just 17 goals in the league, the least by any of the 18 clubs.Additionally, Okoth could also be counted on the attacking front where he scored especially from set pieces, including the goal that sealed Police’s league title in their 1-0 victory over Shabana FC on Sunday 15 June.Job Ochieng- Kenya Police FCAnother member of the Kenya Police title-winning squad who was overlooked by McCarthy is goalkeeper Job Ochieng.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000958##Despite not playing all matches, especially at the start of the season, Ochieng came back to the team and was an instrumental figure in seeing Police rise from 17th to win the title.For his troubles, the former Mathare United custodian won the Golden Glove after keeping 13 clean sheets in the league and numerous crucial saves.Levis Opiyo – AFC LeopardsIn yet another disappointing season for Kenyan giants AFC Leopards, goalkeeper Levis Opiyo was one of the few stars shining in the darkness.CAF commences final inspection tour in Kenya ahead of CHAN tournamentOpiyo came to the rescue of Ingwe severally with top and mature performances that saw fans on numerous occasions chant his name.The former Gor Mahia custodian who is said to be on the radar of South African and Zambian clubs, is one of the notable omissions from the released squad.Chris Erambo – Tusker FCTusker’s Chris Erambo is another notable absentee in the Kenya provisional squad for CHAN.##NAJAVA_MECA_9002219##Erambo, who received regular call-ups under former coach Engin Firat has often been overlooked since McCarthy took charge.Jack Ong’anya – SofapakaSofapaka midfielder Jack Ong’anya was one of the key revelations of the 2024/25 FKFPL season.In what was his maiden season in the top flight, the former Green Commandos midfielder was a star in the team, playing alongside veteran Humphrey Mieno.Harambee Starlets striker among 16 dropped by BesiktasOng’anya who also plays as a center back also has an eye for goal and scored crucial and top goals, including a hat trick in Sofapaka’s infamous 7-1 win over Tusker.The 19-year-old has been unlucky as he was also overlooked in the Kenya U 20 team that competed in the U 20 AFCON in Egypt.Biron ‘N’Golo’ Otieno – Kariobangi SharksNicknamed ‘N’Golo’ in reference to former Chelsea star N’golo Kante due to his physical stature, style of play and position, Biron Otieno was a key performer for Kariobangi Sharks.##NAJAVA_MECA_9000739##The Kibera-born and bred midfielder proved himself to be calm on the ball even under pressure, great on the tackle and with good passing ranging, earning himself a key role in Sharks’ style of play.Otieno who will leave Sharks upon the expiry of his contract is said to be on the verge of joining Shabana FC.
