England-based midfielder Henry Ochieng is among five recalled players in Benni McCarthy’s provisional Harambee Stars squad for the back-to-back Group 'D' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against South Africa.
McCarthy on Thursday evening unveiled a 36-man team for the assignment.
The 27-year-old Ochieng missed out on the provisional squad for the previous matches against Eritrea and Guinea, together with defenders Eric Ouma and Sylvester Owino and midfielders Alwyn Tera and Alpha Onyango, who all get the call this time.
South Africa will host Kenya in the first leg at the 37,313-seater Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on November 13. The return leg will take place four days later at Nyayo National Stadium.
Born and raised in England, Ochieng currently features for the English National League South side Slough Town.
In November 2017, he was given a Harambee Stars call-up by former coach Stanley Okumbi to play against Sierra Leone in the 2019 Afcon qualifiers, but he didn’t get a chance to show his prowess as the West African nation was suspended by Fifa.
He made his junior debut for Harambee Stars in the Under-23 Afcon first leg qualifier against Mauritius in November 2019 where Kenya won 5-0.
Ochieng was among the 13 players whom Watford parted ways with in 2021 after earning promotion to the English Premier League.
Dependable left-back Ouma, who plays for Polish side Rakow Czestochowa was a surprise omission for the matches against Eritrea and Guinea, as he had recovered from a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
Kenyan striker Ryan Ogam (right) gets past Filmon Gebregziabhier of Eritrea during their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Group ‘D’ match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
His last appearance for Harambee Stars came in the two international friendly matches against Lesotho in June. The first encounter ended in a 1-1 draw before Kenya bounce back to secure a 4-0 win.
Owino, who is one of McCarthy’s trusted soldiers, was sidelined for the matches against Eritrea and Guinea after suffering a calf sprain.
The defender picked the injury while with Gor Mahia in Kigali, Rwanda for the 2026 Cecafa Kagame Cup. He resumed training this month.
Tera, 29, captained Armenia’s side FC Ararat-Armenia in their 3-1 loss to Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok in a Uefa Europa League match on October 15.
He last featured for Harambee Stars in September 2024 in Kenya’s 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe in a 2025 Afcon qualifier held in Kampala.
He captained the club in a 2-1 win over Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok in the UEFA Europa League.
Onyango scored in all Gor’ Mahia's three opening matches of the 2026/27 FKF-PL against Murang’a Seal, APS Bomet and Bandari.
Captain Michael Olunga, vice-captain Joseph Okumu, goalkeepers Ian Otieno and Caleb Kramer, Zak Vyner, Aldrine Kibet, Daniel Anyembe, Zech Obiero, Deon Woodman, William Lenkupae and Adam Wilson were all named for the matches against Eritrea and Guinea but later dropped due to injuries or other commitments.
For McCarthy, the matches against South Africa are interesting since he will be leading Kenya against his country, where he remains the all-time top scorer with 31 goals.
Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo, Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, Caleb Kramer
Defenders: Vincent Harper, Stanley Wilson, Eric Ouma, Abud Omar, Amos Wanjala, Frank Odhiambo, Deon Woodman, Daniel Ayembe, Joseph Okumu, Sylvester Owino, Michael Kibagwe, Rooney Onyango, Hannif Wesonga
Midfielders: Manzur Okwaro, Henry Ochieng, Chris Erambo, Marvin Nabwire, Zak Vyner, Alwyn Tera, Alpha Onyango
Forwards: Aldrine Kibet, Will Lenkupae, Kevin Wangaya, Mohammed Bajaber, Ben Stanley, Job Ochieng, Adam Wilson, Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Micah Obiero, Lawrence Okoth
