Michael Olunga axed as Benni McCarthy names Kenya squad for FIFA Series

[p]The FIFA Series will take place from March 27, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kenya/CIAJw1QK/"]Kenya[/a] have been drawn to face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/estonia/YJwM4R15/"]Estonia[/a] at the Amahoro Stadium.[/p][p]Harambee Stars’ second match in the mini-tournament will depend on the outcome of the other opening fixture between [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rwanda/4dPTyCvg/"]Rwanda[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/grenada/QiFl2nl5/"]Grenada[/a].[/p][p]The South African legend has unveiled the final 23-man squad while confirming a number of changes to the provisional squad.[/p][p][b]According to Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the adjustments come after several players were ruled out due to injuries and unavailability, prompting the technical bench to settle on a revised travelling squad.[/b][/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olunga-michael/lOESoLu3/"]Olunga[/a] to miss chance to break record[/h2][p]Apart from Olunga, who has a personal goal to achieve with Harambee Stars, other players dropped include Byrne Omondi, Erick Ouma, Joseph Okumu, Sylvester Owino, Collins Sichenje, Tyler Onyango, Andre Gitau, Adam Wilson, Jonah Ayunga.[/p][p][b]With 34 goals for the national team, Olunga, who turns out for Qatar Stars League side Al-Arabi, is just one goal shy of the record held by William Ouma.[/b][/p][p]“Additionally, the following players are unavailable for selection during this international window: Daniel Anyembe, Zak Vyner,” added the statement from FKF.[/p][p][b]The team is scheduled to depart Kenya on Tuesday, ahead of their participation in the tournament. Kenya will use the Series as part of their preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).[/b][/p][embed guid="223464ef-e274-4a9c-a6fb-9c0bf45bfab5" url="https://x.com/DennisMabu4694/status/2036334924022628631" social-type="twitter" /][p]Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will host the 36th edition of the African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) from June 19 to July 18.[/p][p][b]The 2027 AFCON will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.[/b][/p][p]The 2026 FIFA Series will be the second edition of the FIFA Series, an invitational Association football tournament promoted by FIFA that features friendly matches between national teams from different continental confederations.[/p][p][b]Under the tournament format, the winner of Match 1 will face the winner of Match 2, while the loser of Match 1 will play the loser of Match 2. The FIFA Series presents a unique opportunity for Kenya to test themselves against opponents from different confederations.[/b][/p][p]The FIFA Series was approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022 and is fully aligned with FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-27.[/p][p]The 2026 edition of this initiative will feature 48 national teams – representing almost a quarter of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations – competing in 12 groups of four teams each.[/p][h2]Kenya fixtures in Rwanda[/h2][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/estonia-YJwM4R15/kenya-CIAJw1QK/?mid=fo7BRaos"]Kenya vs Estonia[/a] (March 27 | 6PM | Amahoro Stadium)[/p][p]Winner M1 vs Winner M2 (March 30 | 9PM | Amahoro Stadium)[/p][p]Loser M1 vs Loser M2 (March 30 | 6PM | Amahoro Stadium)[/p][h2]Final 23-man Kenya squad for FIFA Series[/h2][p][b]Goalkeepers[/b]: Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire, Ian Otieno.[/p][p][b]Defenders[/b]: Manzur Okwaro, Aboud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Mike Kibwage, Frank Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Daniel Sakari.[/p][p][b]Midfielders[/b]: Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Richard Odada, Chrispine Erambo, Austine Odhiambo, Will Lenkupae, Mohammed Bajaber.[/p][p][b]Forwards[/b]: Job Ochieng, Zech Obiero, Clarke Oduor, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth, Ben Stanley.[/p][image alt="Dennis Mabuka" id="009ee08a-c012-41bf-bdae-acba9770ea19" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="60368136-c084-42f3-b5e5-fb2a123e9515" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]