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RMA
New Harambee Stars head coach has called up Central Coast Mariners midfielder William Lenkupae Wilson to his provisional 50-man squad that will be facing The Gambia and Gabon on March 17th & 24th in the quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision has sparked conversation among interested parties, who will be keen to see what this young, energetic midfielder can do.
But who exactly is Lenkupae? And why did he accept a call up to the set up?brings you up to speed with who Wilson is.
Benni McCarthy names a 32-man Harambee Stars squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon, blending experience and youth.
Who is William Lenkupae Wilson?
Born on December 23, 2001, began his youth career with Box Hill United and later joined Melbourne Victory, where he played both in the National Premier Leagues and the senior team.
Wilson made his professional debut in an FFA Cup playoff match against Perth Glory in 2021 and later transitioned to the Central Coast Mariners in August 2023.
He scored his first A-League goal during an F3 Derby match, contributing to a 3-1 victory over the Newcastle Jets in November 2023. Notably, he was part of the Mariners’ successful 2023-24 season, where they secured both the A-League Men Premiership and the AFC Cup2.
Standing at 1.70 meters tall, Wilson is known for his versatility in midfield, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or left winger.
Off the field, he is a supporter of the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League2.
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The energetic midfielder iby virtue of one of his parents being Kenyan.
Born and raised in Australia, the midfielder has yet to represent his country of birth at any youth level, which gives him a good chance to fully declare for the national team.
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Wilson is primarily a box to box midfielder who is good at dynamically carrying the ball forward. He also has the knack for finding the back of the net, and is also robust on the tackle. This is a quality the Harambee Stars midfield really needs given the lack of ball progression in the middle of the park.
Here are some performance statistics for Will Wilson during the 2023/24 season with the Central Coast Mariners:
A-League Men: Played 19 matches, scored 1 goal, and provided 1 assist in 342 minutes of play. In the 204/2025 season, he has featured in 5 games, accumulating 171 minutes according to TransferMarkt.
AFC Cup: Participated in 5 matches, accumulating 257 minutes on the field.
Australia Cup: Played 1 match accumulating 24 minutes.
In total, he made 10 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and contributing significantly to his team’s midfield dynamics
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What would Will Wilson bring to Harambee Stars?
Wilson’s experience in the A-League with Central Coast Mariners has honed his ball control, passing accuracy, and ability to maintain possession under pressure.
He would also bring winning mentality to the set up, having been part of the Mariners’ successful 2023-24 season, where they won the A-League Men Premiership and the AFC Cup, Wilson brings a winning mindset and experience in high-stakes matches.
At 23 years old, Wilson also adds youthful vigor and enthusiasm to the Harambee Stars’ midfield, which can be crucial in maintaining intensity throughout matches.
His background in Australian football also provides him with a different perspective and style of play, which could enrich the team’s overall dynamics
When the midfielder signed for Central Coast Mariners in August 2023, former head coach, now assistant at Tottenham Nick Montgomery was excited to have the youngster signed for the upcoming season, seeing him as a valuable addition to the squad.
“Will is an important signing for us and fits perfectly into our recruitment strategy. He is a very talented young footballer who has found limited opportunities at Victory,” Montgomery told the club’s official website..
“Will is versatile and gives us options out wide and central and will add competition for places. We are really looking forward to working with him and helping him reach his potential.”
Wilson’s call-up not only showcases his individual talent but also reflects coach Benni McCarthy’s vision for the future of the national team.
As he embarks on this new chapter with Harambee Stars, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to the international stage and contributes to Kenya’s quest for FIFA World Cup qualification.
