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McCarthy unveils CHAN squad: Top scorers Shumah and Bajaber lead Kenya's charge

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Harambee Stars defender Alfred Scriven dribbles past teammate Victor Omune during their training session on March 20, 2023 for a friendly match against Iran at Moi International Sports, Centre, Kasarani.

Photo credit: File | Nation

By  Cecil Odongo

Reporter

Nation Media Group

Harambee Stars coach Benny McCarthy has announced a 30-man provisional squad that will compete in the delayed 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

The biennial competition reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.

Kakamega Homeboyz’s forward, Moses Shumah, who emerged as the top scorer in the 2024/2025 Football Kenya Federation Premier League with 17 goals, and his closest challenger, Emmanuel Osoro of FC Talanta, headline the team’s striking force.

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Osoro scored 16 goals for FC Talanta in the local league. Also in coach McCarthy’s striking force are Tusker FC’s Ryan Ogam, who scored 15 goals in the end-of-season league.

While Shumah and Osoro played for their teams nearly the whole season, Ogam has largely not featured in the league since February, when he was sidelined with an injury.

Coach McCarthy has also kept faith with Mohammed Bajaber, the forward who won the league title with Kenya Police.

Bajaber has become a favourite of Kenyan fans following his superb performances for Kenya in the team’s 3-3 draw against Gambia on March 20 in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier match.

Bajaber scored nine goals in the just-concluded FKF-PL season. At 22, he is one of the exciting talents in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.

In midfield, coach McCarthy has retained the Gor Mahia duo of Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango, and called up AFC Leopards wonderkid Kelly Madada.

The only new members of the squad are Shabana’s Keith Imbali and Ulinzi Stars’ duo of Yakeen Muteheli and Staphod Odhiambo.

Kenya will host its Group A matches at the newly refurbished Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Harambee Stars will do battle in Group ‘A’ alongside 2018 and 2020 champions Morocco, Angola, 2009 and 2016 winners Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.

Group “B” of the tournament is composed of hosts Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Central Africa Republic. The teams will be based at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Group “C” of the tournament will feature co-hosts Uganda, Niger, Guinea, South Africa, and Algeria. The group will play its matches at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala.

Group “D” of the tournament is composed of defending champions Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, and Nigeria. The Group will play its matches in Zanzibar.


Kenya’s squad:

Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)

Defenders: Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Manzur Suleiman (KCB), Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibwage (Tusker), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Kevin Okumu (KCB)

Midfielder: Brian Musa( Kenya Police), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB), Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia)

Forwards: Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), David Sakwa (Bandari), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Ryan Ogam (Tusker), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari).