Kenya's Harambee Stars Confirm Friendly Against Rwanda
Kenya’s Harambee Stars have crammed a third fixture into an already demanding international window, confirming a friendly against Rwanda on Monday, 5 October.
Benni McCarthy’s side were already staring at two crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. They host Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, 26 September, then head west to face Guinea on Thursday, 1 October. Now comes Rwanda in Kigali to close out a relentless three-week spell.
McCarthy’s extra audition
The Rwanda clash at Amahoro Stadium is more than a tune-up. It hands McCarthy another live audition for his squad before the AFCON campaign gathers real pace, a chance to see who can handle three games in quick succession and who fades when the legs get heavy.
Rwanda’s Amavubi will arrive just as battle-hardened. They welcome Liberia to Kigali on Friday, 25 September in AFCON qualifying, then travel to face 2026 FIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde. Kenya will be their final assignment before players disperse back to their clubs.
For both coaches, the friendly is the last look before the window slams shut. For fringe players, it might be the only one that truly counts.
Camp opens, schedule bites
Harambee Stars reported to camp on Tuesday morning, the start of a tight countdown. McCarthy has only a handful of sessions to drill his ideas before Eritrea arrive in Nairobi. From there, the rhythm is unforgiving: home test, long trip to Guinea, then straight into Kigali for Rwanda.
The staff will juggle recovery, travel and tactical work. The players will simply have to cope.
Big returns and fresh faces
The squad sheet offers a blend of familiar names and new stories.
Defender Hannif Wesonga is back in the fold, as is Vincent Harper, while Amos Wanjala earns a call-up as he pushes to turn club form into international minutes. Gor Mahia forward Shariff Musa has forced his way in on the back of a sharp pre-season, a reward for goals that McCarthy could use.
There is also the intrigue of youth. Winger Javan Ochieng has been summoned as he chases a senior debut, a potential wildcard in wide areas. At the other end of the spectrum, captain Michael Olunga returns after injury, the focal point restored just in time for competitive action.
Kenya squad in full
- Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United), Brian Bwire (Tusker).
- Defenders: Michael Kibagwe (Gor Mahia), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus), Stanley Wilson (AIK), Abud Omar (Tusker), Amos Wanjala (Valencia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Vincent Harper (Exeter City).
- Midfielders: Manzur Okwaro (Stade Reims), Timothy Ouma (Charlton Athletic), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Duke Abuya (Young Africans), Marvin Nabwire (Power Dynamos).
- Forwards: Sharif Musa (Gor Mahia), Mohammed Bajaber (unattached), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Javan Ochieng (Hickory FC), Micah Obiero (Carlisle United), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège), Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi).
Three games. Three weeks. A squad under inspection. By the time they leave Kigali, McCarthy will know a lot more about who can carry Kenya’s AFCON ambitions – and who will be watching that journey from home.
