Players drawn from Gor Mahia and Tusker players were absent as Harambee Stars kicked off preparations for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon. Coach Benni McCarthy held his first training session on Wednesday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, with local-based players being present, save for those two clubs. However, Tusker forward Ryan Ogam, who is reportedly injured, was pictured training with the rest of the Harambee Stars players, an indication that he might have passed the fitness test. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8773798##Ogam, the leading scorer in the top tier with 15 goals, picked up a knee injury last month while in action against Kenya Police at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. Besides Ogam, McCarthy reserved slots for three more Tusker players: Brian Opondo, Erick Balecho, and Chrispine Erambo. Last season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Austin Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Lawrence Juma, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Alpha Onyango, and Ben Stanley Omondi are the seven Gor players McCarthy included in the provisional squad. England-based star snubs Harambee Stars for The Three LionsMcCarthy revealed that the two clubs asked the Football Kenya Federation to exempt their players from walking into camp early, owing to the forthcoming club assignments. Both clubs are in the race for the league title, with K’Ogalo set to take on Bandari on Saturday, while Tusker are scheduled to tackle Posta Rangers on Friday at Dandora Stadium.”Gor Mahia and Tusker asked the federation to give their players a pass, as they have league matches this weekend,” revealed McCarthy. Dr Patrice Motsepe re-elected unopposed as CAF President for second termDespite the absence of the players from the two influential clubs, the former Cape Town City FC coach is confident of getting the team ready for the two assignments. Kenya is ranked third in Group F of the qualifiers with five points after four rounds of qualifiers.Tusker FC coach praises quartet after earning national team call-upsStars trail African champions Ivory Coast by five points, the second-placed Gabon by four, and are two points behind CECAFA neighbor Burundi. “We will work to get the team ready and right. We have to give Kenyans a hardworking team, fighting and trying to play good football. The most important thing is producing a team that has a desire to win football matches. Our priority is the Gambia match. Hopefully we’ll get the team ready and make the nation proud,” he added.
