Kenya vs Gambia: 15 Players Set for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers After CHAN Heroics

Harambee Stars' fairy tale CHAN run ended on Friday evening after a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Madagascar in the quarter-finals at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani.

Despite the setback, head coach Benni McCarthy has assured Kenyans that the tournament has opened a new chapter for the national team.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

The South African tactician revealed that up to 15 players from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad will be elevated to the senior side as Kenya gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“There will be quite a lot of these players on the international stage because I think they deserve it,” McCarthy said as per Nation.

“They have worked exceptionally hard, and there is some really good quality and good potential going forward, so between 10 and 15 players from the squad will move up.”

The coach’s assurance comes at a critical time for Harambee Stars. After six matches in Group ‘F’ of the 2026 qualifiers, Kenya sits fourth with six points, having registered one win, three draws and two losses.

Their only victory came in a commanding 5-0 triumph over Seychelles, while they battled to draws against Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia. However, a 2-1 double defeat to Gabon has left qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

McCarthy admitted that qualification is nearly out of reach, with group leaders Cote d’Ivoire on 16 points, one ahead of second-placed Gabon.

“Regarding World Cup qualifiers, it is (realistically) almost an impossible task for us to qualify, so you might as well prepare the player for a higher stage because they have done exceptionally well in Chan and now I think stepping up for them might do them good,” he said.

He added that the focus now is on building a competitive side for the future while ensuring Kenya gives a strong account of themselves in the remaining fixtures against Gambia and Seychelles.

“We go out and be competitive against Gambia and Seychelles but I think these players did themselves good with the performance they have given me and the rest of the country,” McCarthy added.

Several standout performers from the CHAN tournament are poised to join the senior side. Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, who impressed with his shot-stopping and was named man of the match against Morocco, is among the frontrunners. Defenders Michael Kibwage, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija – scorer of the quarter-final opener – and Mohammed Siraj also caught the eye with their solid displays.

In midfield, Austine Odhiambo, Alpha Onyango, Suleiman Manzur and Boniface Muchiri showed composure and creativity. Odhiambo and striker Ryan Ogam each netted twice during the tournament, with Ogam scooping the man-of-the-match award against Zambia. Alpha Onyango, meanwhile, earned the accolade twice, against DRC and Madagascar.

The promise of this youthful brigade offers Harambee Stars fans a glimpse of hope despite the heartbreak of CHAN elimination and the uphill task of World Cup qualification. With matches against Gambia on September 5 and Seychelles on September 10 at Kasarani, the Stars have an opportunity to showcase their new-look side before a home crowd.

While Kenya’s chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup are slim, McCarthy’s commitment to integrating homegrown talent could lay a foundation for long-term success. The experience gained from CHAN and exposure to World Cup qualifiers may prove invaluable for a squad brimming with untapped potential.

The coach, who once donned the jerseys of Porto, West Ham United and served as Manchester United’s forwards coach, is optimistic that this blend of youthful energy and international exposure will pave the way for future success.