The Harambee Stars November friendlies squad announcement landed with a surge of excitement and debate, as head coach Benni McCarthy confirmed a youthful, merit-first selection for two matches in Antalya, Turkey, and left out captain Michael Olunga while handing a first senior call-up to rising star Aldrine Kibet.
The fixtures and the plan in Antalya
Kenya will use the FIFA window between November 10 and 18 to face Madagascar on Friday, November 14, then take on Comoros on November 17 or 18, in Antalya. These friendlies arrive as crucial checkpoints for a team gearing up for future competitive assignments after recent disappointments on the qualification front.
Comoros, who have qualified for AFCON 2025, will also be fine-tuning for the continental stage, which sharpens the test that awaits McCarthy’s side in Turkey. The setting, neutral and focused, offers a clean slate for players hoping to earn trust and minutes in the national shirt.
Aldrine Kibet steps into the spotlight
Aldrine Kibet’s maiden senior call-up is the headline story, a reward for a meteoric rise that began with St Anthony’s Boys Kitale at the 2023 national school games, progressed through Nastic Academy in Spain, and crystallized with a move to Celta Vigo in July. The 19-year-old has already represented Kenya at U18 and U20 levels, including at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
It is a selection that blends promise with planning. Kibet currently features with Celta Vigo’s second-string team, and McCarthy’s decision signals early integration of the next generation. The Spanish club publicly celebrated his call, underscoring how far, and how fast, the teenager has traveled.
“Aldrine Kibet’s first call to the senior Kenyan national team. What a moment for our man. Congrats, Aldrine.”
The spotlight now turns to how much time he will see in Antalya, and what kind of creative spark he can add against Madagascar and Comoros. For a player praised for his composure and final-third craft at youth level, the senior stage is the next big audition.
Ovella Ochieng returns and the case for form
Ovella Ochieng’s return to the national fold speaks to a selection theme that rewards current impact. The Nairobi United forward has been prominent in a historic club run, helping Naiboi’s qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after a dramatic aggregate against Etoile du Sahel, and scoring the winner in their FKF Premier League opener against Mara Sugar.
The 25-year-old brings pace and invention, backed by experiences in Sweden, South Africa, and Botswana. He was part of Kenya’s AFCON 2019 squad and last featured around the national setup in October 2023 during a camp in Turkey, when Kenya drew 2-2 with Russia and he remained an unused substitute. A fit, confident Ovella widens McCarthy’s attacking options on the flanks.
Other returns and fresh energy for Turkey
Defender Baron Ochieng re-enters the picture following his move to Zamalek, another nod to developing talent that came through Rising Stars at U20 level. The coach’s intent is clear, to broaden the pool and assess profiles that can elevate the right side of defense over time.
There is also a recall for Jonah Ayunga, who will compete for minutes up front after returning to the squad for the first time since March. Abroad last weekend he started as St Mirren fell 3-1 to Dundee United, in a match colored by a late red card and a penalty. Goalkeeper Brian Opondo, back in the senior setup after July, offers added depth between the posts as he aims to build on a clean sheet for Tusker in league action.
Big calls and bigger messages
The headline omission is Michael Olunga. The national team’s most reliable scorer misses out despite returning to the goals for Al Arabi with a towering header in a 3-1 win over Al Sadd last weekend, and despite being on the bench for a Qatar Cup tie on October 28. As reported, Olunga is only two goals shy of the all-time national record, yet McCarthy has again opted to look at other options for this window.
Other notable absentees underline a broader shift. Tyler Onyango, who has declared for Kenya and is on loan at Stockport County, is not included. Zak Vyner, previously called up under a former coach and positive about representing Kenya once documentation and club matters settle, remains out for now. Collins Sichenje, who had captained the team during a 5-0 win over Seychelles, is not in this squad. Richard Odada, seeking rhythm at UTA Arad in Romania, also misses out after a difficult last outing for Kenya against Gambia. The message is unmistakable, selection is merit-based and no place is guaranteed.
Full squad at a glance
- Goalkeepers Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Polokwane City), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)
- Defenders Vincent Harper (Walsall), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Etoile Du Sahel), Michael Kibwage (Gor Mahia), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal), Manzur Suleiman (Nairobi United), Baron Ochieng (Zamalek)
- Midfielders Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznan), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC)
- Attackers Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), William Lenkupae (VPS), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo), Ovella Ochieng (Nairobi United), Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki)
Tactical questions for McCarthy
These games in Turkey hand McCarthy a sandbox for ideas and combinations. The return of natural width through Ovella, plus the creativity of Kibet and Austin Odhiambo, should help Kenya probe between the lines and attack at better angles. The right back slot, with Baron Ochieng in the mix, is a position to monitor, and the chemistry between midfield pairs will be watched closely.
Up front, Ayunga will look to frame a compelling case in the absence of Michael Olunga, while Ryan Ogam, coming off a weekend as an unused substitute in Wolfsberger’s 3-1 win at Sturm Graz, has a chance to translate club-level sharpness from Austria into national-team stakes. The coach’s plan to test depth is plain to see, and execution against two compact opponents will be the measure.
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What this window means for Kenya and for the opponents
According to the federation confirmation, Kenya will face Madagascar and Comoros in Antalya, with the latter tuning up for a Morocco AFCON assignment that includes group games against the hosts, Zambia, and Mali. The Coelacanths open against Morocco on December 21, then face Zambia five days later, before finishing against Mali, a competitive run that ensures a high-intensity rehearsal in Turkey.
For Kenya, there is context to consider. The team missed out on AFCON 2025 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which offers time and space to rebuild standards, deepen competition for places, and grow an identity that can withstand pressure games. McCarthy’s latest list reflects a coach unafraid to make tough decisions now in order to find a stronger core later.
Players to watch in Turkey
- Aldrine Kibet, the creative teenager steps into senior football looking to carry over his U18 and U20 swagger to the biggest stage
- Ovella Ochieng, a resurgent club form with Nairobi United, decisive in continental qualification, and a timely return to add pace and ideas
- Jonah Ayunga, a forward who has a chance to stake a claim in the nine role through work rate, movement, and link play
- Ryan Ogam, a striker in Austria’s top flight, aiming to turn bench spells into national-team relevance with sharp cameos
- Vincent Harper, a steady presence at Walsall who can offer balance in buildup and security out wide
- Timothy Ouma, the Lech Poznan midfielder whose timing and distribution can stitch the attack together.
Form, accountability, and the long view
It is not lost on anyone that Olunga scored for Al Arabi in a statement win over Al Sadd and that he sits within touching distance of the national scoring record. Yet the coach has insisted through his selections that every window has a purpose, and that purpose in November is to expand the pool and harden competition. For those included, that is both a privilege and a test.
There is a growing spine here. Between the experienced Gor Mahia cohort, the European based contingent, and Rising Stars graduates like Baron Ochieng and Lawrence Okoth, the balance between present needs and future ambition looks deliberate. The friendlies in Antalya should reveal who can translate promise into performance.
