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BHA
The exclusion of Bandari FC custodian Byrne Omondi from the initial Harambee Stars squad announced by Benni McCarthy has caught many by surprise, considering that he has been one of the key players in the previous Harambee Stars squads.
The 28-year-old has largely been the most preferred goalkeeper for Harambee Stars in recent times, and with his closest competitor during that time, Patrick Matasi, out of the squa, but he is not one of the four custodians in the squad.
Omondi had been on the sidelines for about a month but was in the starting 11 of Bandari’s last league match against Tusker FC. The decision to drop Omondi means that McCarthy must make a tough call on who will start against The Gambia and Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has set high expectations for his fellow South African Benni McCarthy who was recently appointed Harambee Stars coach.
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McCarthy has named four goalkeepers; Brian Opondo (Tusker FC), Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC), Ian Otieno (Richards Bay), and Brian Bwire (Polokwane City) but who will the South African prefer as the first choice? brings you the goalkeeping conundrum facing McCarthy heading into the do-or-die must-win matches in Group F.
Otieno is theoalkeepers named by McCarthy. Since his debut in 2015, the 31-year-old has managed 10 appearances for Harambee Stars. Otieno has had a mixed season at Polokwane City.
After being benched in the opening two matches, Otieno, who played for AFC Leopards between 2016-2018, started the next seven matches, accumulating 630 minutes in the process. However, the former Posta Rangers goalkeeper h, in the 3-1 loss to Amazulu FC. Otieno was on the bench when Harambee Stars lost 5-1 on aggregate against Cameroon in October but was missing altogether against Namibia and Zimbabwe in November.
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has been urged to make a ruthless decision on Harambee Stars prospect Djed Spence ahead of their Europa Legaue clash against AZ Alkmaar.
The 24-year-old has made for Polokwane. The former Kariobangi Sharks and Tusker keeper has made two appearances for Harambee Stars. He broke into the Kenya National team setup in 2021 and made his debut against Mali in a 2022 World Cup qualifier at Nyayo Stadium.
Opondo, who has been Tusker’s first-choice goalkeeper, hopes to make his debut for the national team. After spending years as a backup, he recently secured his position as the starting goalkeeper and has now earned a place in the national team. The custodian has been in excellent form, since becoming the starter.
Here is everything you need to know about the South African-linked players who could shine for Harambee Stars under new coach Benni McCarthy.
At just 28, Shikhalo has played for nine clubs in his career and .
, the new Harambee Stars goalkeeping coach, will have a big say on who will begin McCarthy’s reign as first choice shot stopper. Him, alongside fellow countryman Pilela Maposa, who is the Performance Analyst have their work cut out. .McCarthy faces a tough call in goal and perhaps so many factors will be considered before picking the starter against The Gambia and Gabon.
