Benni McCarthy has named his first national squad for Kenya, including three PSL players: Brian Onyango, Ian Otieno, and Brian Bwire. Tasked with elevating the team’s profile in international football, McCarthy has structured a competent technical team to aid in this mission. The preliminary squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers showcases a blend of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
Benni McCarthy, the new head coach of the Kenya national football team, has announced the inclusion of three players from the Betway Premiership in his inaugural squad selection. Tasked with transforming the Harambee Stars team into a continental powerhouse, McCarthy is returning to coaching after a break following his tenure as a striker coach at Manchester United from 2022 to 2024.
Prior to this role, McCarthy coached Cape Town City FC and AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership. After leaving Manchester United, there were talks of him returning to AmaZulu, though this did not materialize. As he undertakes the job with Harambee Stars, McCarthy has assembled a technical team including Moeneeb Josephs as goalkeeper coach, Vasili Manousakis as assistant coach, and Pilela Maposa as performance analyst.
In his first squad announcement for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon, McCarthy has incorporated three PSL players: defender Brian Onyango from Stellenbosch FC, goalkeeper Ian Otieno of Richards Bay FC, and goalkeeper Brian Bwire from Polokwane City FC.
The complete preliminary squad for the Kenya national team includes:
– Goalkeepers: Brian Opondo, Faruk Shikhalo, Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire
– Defenders: Sylvester Owino, Ronney Onyango, Alphonce Omija, Siraj Mohamed, Daniel Sakar, Levis Esambe, Eric Ouma, Johnstone Omurwa, Joseph Okumu, Collins Sichenje, Daniel Anyembe, Brian Onyango
– Midfielders: Musa Katibi, Chris Erambo, Austine Odhiambo, Lawrence Juma, Kelly Madada, Ben Stanley, Mathia Isogoli, Andreas Odhiambo, Alpha Onyango, Richard Odada, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Apollo Otieno, Amos Nondi, Eric Johanna, Anthony Akumu, Ismail Gonzalez, William Lenkupae
– Forwards: Boniface Muchiri, James Kinyanjui, Alvin Mang’eni, Mohamed Bajaber, Eric Balecho, Ryan Ogam, Moses Shumah, Edward Omondi, Elvis Rupia, John Avire, Jonah Ayunga, Michael Olunga, Mathew Tegisi, Masud Juma.
In summary, Benni McCarthy’s first squad selection for the Kenya national football team includes representation from the Betway Premiership, featuring key players like Brian Onyango, Ian Otieno, and Brian Bwire. With a robust technical team supporting him, McCarthy aims to enhance the team’s performance in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Original Source: farpost.co.za
