Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy unveiled his first provisional squad on Tuesday, 11 March, that included both debutants and experienced players.Some eight players headline the biggest omissions from the Harambee Stars squad named for the upcoming international break.The 48-man provisional squad will be assessed as the South African tactician looks to assess his best arsenal for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and The Gambia.Former Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards defender pinpoints blame for dwindling Mashemeji Derby excitementPundits, observers and indeed Kenyans at large have offered mixed reactions to the squad, decrying the inclusion and exclusion of some players.Mozzart Sport looks at the eight big omissions from the team, including experienced players as well as some who had knocked hard at the doors of the national team with their performances.Marvin Nabwire -Kenya Police FC##NAJAVA_MECA_8773582##The former AFC Leopards midfielder is one of the biggest omissions from McCarthy’s squad, with his exclusion causing a stir online.Nabwire has undoubtedly been one of the best players this season, not only for Kenya Police FC but in the FKF Premier League at large.After staying on the sidelines for so long due to a nagging injury and police training, the former AFC Leopards captain slowly but surely found his form this season and has been magnificent for the Law Enforcers, who now sit on top of the league table.William Lenkupae: All you need to know about Australian-born Harambee stars midfielderFor his troubles, Nabwire has found the back of the net six times this season, most of which have been crucial for Police.Biron ‘N’golo’ Otieno – Kariobangi Sharks.Kariobangi Sharks’ Biron Otieno, popularly known as ‘N’golo’ in reference to France international N’golo Kante due to his physique and style of play, has been a star shining in the dark cloud of Sharks’ season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773606##The defensive midfielder has been impressive for his team, where he has been dictating play, hard on the tackle, his few touches on the ball and ability to beat the press from opponents catching the eye of local football fans across board.While some think that his body size is his main undoing, Otieno has been able to demonstrate in the league that he is up to the task and probably should have made it to McCarthy’s list.Byrne Omondi – Bandari FCSalaries and Remuneration Commission deny responsibility of paying Benni McCarthy’s salaryThe exclusion of Bandari FC custodian Byrne Omondi comes as a surprise to many, considering he has been one of the key players in the previous Harambee Stars squads.The 28-year-old has largely been the most preferred goalkeeper for Harambee Stars in recent times, and with his closest competitor during that time, Patrick Matasi, out of the squad, Omondi looked like an obvious name in the team, but he is not one of the four custodians in the squad.Omondi had been on the sidelines for about a month but was in the starting 11 of Bandari’s last league match against Tusker FC.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773578##Aboud Omar – Kenya Police FCAnother regular member of the team who was missing from the squad is Kenya Police’s Aboud Omar.Omar is one of the senior players in the Kenyan team and one of the players who were part of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad. He was also the captain of the national team in the Mapinduzi Cup that was held in January 2025.Australia-based Lenkupae in as McCarthy names Harambee Stars’ squad for World Cup qualifiersThe 32-year-old has featured for the country as a left-back several times, with Polish-based Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma serving as his main competitor.The former Tusker FC defender was in action in Police’s last league match against AFC Leopards on Tuesday 4 March 2025.Brian Michira – Shabana FC##NAJAVA_MECA_8773603##One omission that has caused a huge online outrage, owing to his club’s vociferous fans, has to be that of Shabana FC danger man Brian Michira.The forward has undoubtedly been Shabana’s best player this season and has produced top performances which have been instrumental in the team’s improved performance this season.With Shabana fans being the most vocal and active this season on the online space, they have led the uproar over the omission of the dreadlocked attacker who has 10 league goals to his name so far this season.Inter Milan reunion – Mariga elated after reuniting with Eto’o in Cairo (VIDEO)Baron Ochieng – Sofapaka FCThe Sofapaka right-back has been one of the best players in his position in the FKF Premier League this season and has influenced the game by providing six assists so far this season.Ochieng has also been growing on the leadership front and was named as one of the team’s assistant captains and captained the Ezekiel Akwana-coached side when Humphrey Mieno was sidelined with an injury.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773598##As one of the main players in the Kenya U20 team that will compete in the U20 AFCON scheduled for Saturday, 26 April to Sunday, 18 May in Ivory Coast.Charles Momanyi – Tusker FCThe Tusker FC captain was a late inclusion in the Harambee Stars’ last AFCON qualification matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia.Former Kariobangi Sharks analyst earns promotion at Premier League side Aston VillaMomanyi was also a key figure in the Mapinduzi Cup and therefore largely expected to be called up but has also failed to find a place in McCarthy’s team.Emmanuel Osoro – FC TalantaDespite his team FC Talanta struggling this season and battling relegation, Emmanuel Osoro has been outstanding so far this season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8773590##Should Talanta manage to survive, they will largely have Osoro to thank for the number of times that he has bailed them out of losses.The Talanta forward is the league’s third goal scorer this season with 10 goals to his name, which many thought would be enough to earn him a national team call-up.
