8 Foreign-Based Players That Have Earned Benni McCarthy's Trust For Gambia and Seychelles

Benni McCarthy has drafted in just eight foreign based players into his latest Harambee Stars squad following their performance at CHAN 2024. Who exactly are they?

As Kenya prepares for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Seychelles in September, head coach Benni McCarthy has placed faith in a mix of homegrown stars and foreign-based talent. 

Among the latter, eight players have caught his eye, with experience, versatility, and hunger to prove themselves set to be key factors in Harambee Stars’ campaign.

Pulse Sports profiles the eight players who have won Benni McCarthy’s trust for the upcoming games.

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Collins Sichenje

Collins Sichenje has been drafted into the Harambee Stars squad for the first time in 2025 after missing the March international window through injury and then Benni McCarthy opting for a core of mostly local-based players for the June international window with an eye on CHAN 2024.

Sichenje has been getting a lot of gametime in Serbia, playing for FK Vojvodina in the Serbian Super League, with his physicality and pace proving valuable qualities for the league challengers.

The former AFC Leopards man has tended to be a fixture in the squad under Engin Firat, but barely got enough minutes, and will be hoping he can win McCarthy’s trust for the upcoming tournament despite the brilliant form Sylvester Owino and Michael Kibwage showed at CHAN 2024 as a pairing.

Ronney Onyango

Ronney Onyango has now settled in Norway, and is among the players from the March international window, playing against Gambia and Gabon in March as a right back, and was a handful bombing up and down the right flank, while producing brilliant floated crosses that gave both sides problems.

The former Gor Mahia man will however be facing stiff competition from new Gor Mahia man Lewis Bandi, who did well during the CHAN 2024 run.

Timothy Ouma

Timothy Ouma has struggled for gametime since joining Red Star Belgrade earlier this year, which forced him to seek a loan move away to Polish outfit Lech Poznań.

He was given his chance to start for Kenya in the number 10 position during their 2-1 loss to Gabon at Nyayo Stadium courtesy of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace. 

The former Elfsborg man has been entrusted to be one of three players who will shoulder the creative burden alongside Duke Abuya and Ben Stanley Omondi, who saw significant gametime during the CHAN 2024 tournament.

Richard Odada

Despite struggling for gametime in Scotland,Richard Odada, who has been exploring moves elsewhere, particularly in Saudi Arabia, has earned a call-up for the upcoming international window.

Odada will be competing for the deep lying playmaker role with Alpha Onyango and Marvine Nabwire, with Manzur Okwaro continuing to impress McCarthy in that engine role, which saw him not have the need to call up Teddy Akumu or redraft Victor Wanyama.

William Lenkupae

William Lenkupae scored on his national debut for Kenya against Gambia, and will be hoping to maintain his form when both sides meet again in September.

His knack for making late runs into the box, ball carrying and versatility will be key for McCarthy, who will be hoping his charges get six points from six and get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

Job Ochieng

The Real Sociedad man has earned his maiden call up to the side after impressing for the B side for a couple of seasons now.

Ochieng has already scored one league goal in the Segunda Division in two appearances this season.

He has played across the front three, as a number 10, and even filled in at left-back when needed, and these are attributes that McCarthy believes will be key.

Duke Abuya

The Yanga midfielder has been a sensation for the Tanzanian outfit since joining them from Kenya Police on a permanent transfer in 2024.

His off the ball movement, as well as natural knack to create something from nothing, has caught the attention of Benni McCarthy, and alongside Ouma and Stanley, will seek to be the imaginative spark the side needs in the quest to score goals and get three points.

Michael Olunga

Team captain Michael Olunga has polarised opinion among fans for his profligacy in front of goal, but Benni McCarthy understands his importance to the side.

His presence upfront, hold up play and ability to bring others into the game with his back to goal are qualities McCarthy believes are crucial, as his knack for finding the back of the net.

His experience will also be crucial if Stars are to get six points from six.

With a critical double-header against Gambia and Seychelles looming, McCarthy’s blend of foreign-based experience and local talent could determine whether Kenya stays alive in the race for its first-ever World Cup qualification. 

These eight internationals will be under the spotlight to deliver when it matters most.