Kenya name provisional squad for Bafana matches

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has named a 36-man provisional squad to take on South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month, with the selection to be trimmed next week.

There are 23 foreign-based players in the squad, including Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno who was not included in September when Kenya opened their Group D qualifying campaign with a home draw against Eritrea and away defeat in Guinea.

The 33-year-old Otieno last played for the Harambee Stars in a friendly against Estonia in March and will tussle with former Polokwane City goalkeeper Brian Bwire, now back in Kenya with Tusker, for a place in the goal.

There is a return for captain and lead striker Michael Olunga plus a place for teenage prodigy Aldrine Kibet, who is at McCarthy’s old Spanish club Celta Vigo in the junior strictures.

A first call-up has been handed to English-born Henry Ochieng, a 28-year-old midfielder from English non-league club Slough Town.

But McCarthy has still not been able to persuade Sheffield Wednesday right back Tyler Onyongo to join up with the squad. Onyango was born in England but his father is from Kenya. He has played at under-17 level for England.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire (Tusker), Caleb Kramer (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay, South Africa), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United)

Defenders: Daniel Ayembe (Viborg, Denmark), Vincent Harper (Exeter City, England), Michael Kibagwe, Frank Odhiambo (both Gor Mahia), Joseph Okumu (Reims, France), Abud Omar (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal, Norway), Eric Ouma (RKS Raków Częstochowa, Poland), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia) Amos Wanjala (Valencia, Spain), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus, South Sudan), Stanley Wilson (AIK Stockholm, Sweden), Deon Woodman (Bromley, England)

Midfielders: Chris Erambo (Tusker), Marvin Nabwire (Power Dynamos, Zambia), Henry Ochieng (Slough Town, England), Manzur Okwaro (Reims, France), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alwyn Tera (Arat-Armenia, Armenia), Zak Vyner (Wrexham, Wales)

Forwards: Mohammed Bajaber (Nairobi United), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo, Spain), Will Lenkupae (Tulsa, US), Micah Obiero (Carlisle United, England), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad, Spain), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liege, Belgium), Lawrence Okoth (Bandari), Michael Olunga (Al Arabi, Qatar), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Kevin Wangaya (Nairobi United), Adam Wilson (New Saints, Wales).