Benni McCarthy hands lifeline to forgotten defender with Harambee Stars recall

While several big names have failed to make the cut to the provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Gabon, one lucky man has been handed a career lifeline as far as international football is concerned.

Like it or hate it, Spain-basedhas been handed his first call up after four years in the cold. Gonzalez’s last call-up for Harambee Stars was in 2021 during the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, when Kenya was preparing to play against Mali.

Born in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, to a Kenyan father and a Spanish mother, the former Manchester City trialist saw his international journey with Kenya take off on a high in against Congo in a 2017 AFCON qualifier.

Newly-appointed Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has explained what he demands from the Stars at the CHAN tournament.

He later became a crucial part of the squad that secured a historic qualification for the (Afcon), playing every minute of the qualification campaign.

One of the standout moments of his international career came in Kenya’s stunning 1-0 victory over Ghana, a result that sealed their Afcon berth for the first time in over a decade. However, when the tournament finally arrived, his fortunes took an unexpected turn.

Djed Spence's continued absence from the England national team had seen the Tottenham Hotspur defender linked with a switch of allegiance to Kenya's Harambee Stars.

Despite being a key figure in the qualification, coach benched him throughout the Afcon tournament, a decision that left Athuman frustrated and disillusioned.

In February, Gonzalez who plays for  Mérida in Spanish Primera División RFEF – Group 1 category, spoke of his desire to return  to the Harambee Stars fold because the  new FKF leadership has , who knows football and was once a player who won the Champions League with Intermilan in 2010.

Prior to falling out with Migne, Gonzalez had amassed 11 caps under his belt. Gonzalez is part of the 50 players called up to the Benni McCarthy’s squad, as the South African legend begins his Harambee Stars reign.

He will have to prove it in training that he deserves a place in the final squad when the Stars face , at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast. The Stars then welcome Gabon three days later to Nairobi. The utility player, capable of playing either as a defensive midfield or center back, brings experience and leadership into the squad.

Flexibility could prove to be Gonzalez’s secret weapon considering that has called up 18 midfielders and 13 defenders to the initial squad, meaning competition for places will be high.