Harambee Stars Head Coach Benni MCcarthy during of the team's training sessions./HARAMBEE STARS
With just three days to go, the buzz is unmistakable.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has reshuffled his final CHAN 2025 squad, injecting fresh blood into Kenya’s debut campaign with three late replacements.
Final Harambee Stars Squad – CHAN 2025
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Sebastian Wekesa
Defenders: Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Mike Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, Kevin Okumu
Midfielders: Chrispin Erambo, Brian Michira, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire
Forwards: Edward Omondi, Boniface Muchiri, David Sakwa, Ryan Ogam, Masoud Juma, Austin Odongo, Felix Oluoch.
In a decisive move, McCarthy named Brian Michira (Shabana FC), Chrispin Erambo (Tusker), and Edward Omondi (Sofapaka) as replacements for Mohammed Bajaber, Swaleh Pamba, and Brian Musa, who will now miss the tournament due to fitness concerns.
“At this level, you need players who are 100 per cent ready—physically, mentally, tactically. We had to make these changes for the good of the team,” McCarthy said.
“Michira has shown great vision and control in midfield. Erambo brings incredible balance and mobility, and Omondi gives us a sharp edge up front. They’ve earned their spots.”
Kenya finds itself in what many have dubbed the “Group of Fire”, alongside Morocco, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo—a CHAN powerhouse. “We know the challenge. This is not going to be a walk in the park. These are top-level teams, but we’re not here to make up the numbers,” McCarthy said. “This is a new generation of Harambee Stars—hungry, homegrown, and ready.”
The South African tactician emphasised the importance of composure and crowd support as Kenya prepares for its first-ever CHAN appearance.
“Playing at home is a privilege. That energy, that roar from Kasarani—it can lift us when our legs are tired and push us when things get tough,” he added.
McCarthy has been forced to reconfigure his 25-man squad after top forwards Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro became ineligible due to transfers abroad.
Mohamed Bajaber also exited the squad after securing a move outside the country, effectively ruling himself out of the home-based continental showpiece. CHAN regulations only allow players actively featuring in domestic leagues. “These are players I had counted on heavily,” McCarthy admitted.
“Shumah and Osoro were electric last season, finishing first and second in the goal-scoring charts. Losing them days before kickoff is a blow, no doubt.”
