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The six notable absentees from Harambee Stars provisional squad for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against troubled Cameroon.
As head coach Engin Firat unveiled the provisional Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) double header against Cameroon, the exclusion of several key players has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike.
Kenya will face Cameroon in Douala on October 11 before playing the return leg in Uganda on 14th, with the two games incredibly crucial in their quest to really take the driving seat as they attempt to make their first continental tournament since 2019.
Pulse Sports takes a closer look at the significant players missing from the lineup and the potential impact of their absence.
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15:04 - 02.10.2024
Okumu, Olunga, Odada headline Harambee Stars squad for 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has announced a 28-man provisional squad for crucial AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon.
Eric Johana Omondi
The Romanian-based midfielder has been left out of the provisional squad for the first time since November.
After being expelled from camp in March over disciplinary problems and then missing the World Cup qualifiers held in Malawi last June after mysteriously going AWOL,
Omondi did finally make the trip for the opening AFCON 2025 qualifying games against Zimbabwe and Namibia, and even featured for 66 minutes against the former, but struggled to make an impression and has deservedly been left out of the squad.
Aboud Omar
Aboud Omar has been the side’s go-to back up left back in the absence of Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma. However, he is currently addressing some personal issues which may explain his absence from the squad.
He also missed Kenya Police’s opening encounter against Tusker last Sunday, with head coach Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani confirming afterwards that it was all related to that matter. He was however spotted at the Police Sacco stadium later during the match, looking fit and fine.
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Levis Opiyo
The AFC Leopards goalkeeper has been dropped from the squad following the return to full fitness of South Africa-based goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who missed the September round of qualifiers due to injury.
Opiyo is one of many keepers knocking on the door to break the settled unit of Otieno, Patrick Matasi and Byrne Omondi, who seems to have restored his place as first-choice goalkeeper.
Zak Vyner
Zak Vyner declared to play for the National set up during the June World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast, but never made an appearance after the documentation required to clear him to play for the national team could not be completed in time.
In September, Engin Firat admitted that there were complications with regards to acquiring the Bristol City man's passport, but Pulse Sports has approached Football Kenya Federation for comment on the matter.
Ayub Timbe
Ayub Timbe has been without a club since leaving Sabail following the end of his contract, but has also been struggling with fitness issues. Firat confirmed that there is a chance he should be available for the November qualifiers alongside Masoud Juma as quoted on Mozzart Sport.
Kenneth Muguna
Normally a key player for the national team, Kenneth Muguna has surprisingly been left out of the squad for the Cameroon double encounter.
Muguna was part of the squad in September and even featured prominently for Kenya Police in their opening match of the season. His absence therefore, is naturally surprising.
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