By Shadrack Nyakoe
Harambee Stars completed their full squad assembly in Antalya, Turkey on Thursday, November 13, offering a major boost to Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host. The team arrived in phases beginning Wednesday, with both local and foreign-based players joining camp ahead of their first friendly match in the November FIFA window.
Team head Athanus Obala confirmed that all call-ups had checked in by Thursday morning following the arrival of striker Benini McCarthy, the final player to report. “We are now fully assembled. Every player called up is in camp, and the coaching staff is already here. The team is focused and ready for tomorrow’s match,” Obala said.
Among the first to arrive were Austria-based forward Ryan Ogam of Wolfsberger and Zamalek SC winger Baron Oketch, who had linked up with the contingent in Nairobi before the long-haul flight to Turkey. They were later joined by England-based striker Jonah Ayunga and defender William Wilson Lenkupae, who checked in on Thursday and immediately participated in the team’s final training session.
The squad had been preparing for Friday’s friendly against Equatorial Guinea at Emir Complex Stadium, the first of two matches scheduled for the Turkish camp. The second fixture will see Kenya face Senegal on Tuesday, November 18, at Mardan Stadium. These matches replaced earlier planned friendlies against Madagascar and Comoros, with the technical bench opting for tougher opponents to better test the squad’s readiness.
However, despite a complete squad and strong early momentum, the Stars fell 1–0 to Equatorial Guinea on Friday evening. The decisive moment came in the 44th minute when defender Rooney Onyango conceded a penalty after fouling striker José Miranda inside the box. Miranda converted from the spot to hand the West Africans the win.
Head coach Bennie McCarthy fielded Byrne Omondi in goal, with a defensive unit comprising Onyango, Michael Kibwage, Sylvester Owino and Kevin Otiende. Captain Duke Abuya anchored the midfield alongside Marvin Nabwire, Boniface Muchiri and Lenkupae, while Ogam and Ayunga led the attack. Kenya enjoyed a bright start, pressing high and fashioning early chances, but their lack of sharpness in front of goal proved costly.
Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, adopted a compact approach, absorbing pressure and threatening mainly through set pieces. In the second half, McCarthy introduced Ovella Ochieng and Austin Odhiambo in search of an equaliser, but Kenya’s struggles in the final third persisted.
The friendly, held in the Turkish resort city of Antalya, forms part of Kenya’s broader long-term plan to build a competitive squad ahead of the 2027 AFCON, which will be staged jointly with Tanzania and Uganda. The Stars are under growing expectation after successfully co-hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship.
Both Equatorial Guinea and Senegal are also using the Antalya friendlies to prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 27, 2026.
With the opening game behind them, all attention now shifts to Tuesday’s clash against Senegal, where Harambee Stars will aim to sharpen their tactical shape and improve their finishing as preparations for AFCON 2027 intensify.
