Shummah among three dropped as Harambee Stars jet to Gabon for World Cup qualifiers

Kakamega Homeboyz's Moses Shumah reacts after missing a score during CAF Cup 2023/2024 match against Al Hilal of Libya at the Nyayo National stadium. Aug 19, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shummah was among the three players dropped by Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat as the national football team departed for Gabon on Wednesday.

Shummah was joined by Gor Mahia left back Geoffrey Onyango, and Murang’a Seals youngster Eric Balecho who were dropped from the initial squad.

Kenya is set to play Gabon on Thursday at Stade De la Renovation in Franceville from 9pm East African Time.

This match will be followed by a departure for Abidjan, Ivory Coast to face Seychelles on Monday Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in their second match.

Kenya has been drawn in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.

“It’s a long road but now we are here. Despite a lot of players missing who are normally in the first team we have to show character and fill the gap.

“We have to play better than we played against Russia today. We cannot concede easy goals after scoring and I believe the team will play well,” said Firat.

The Turkish tactician was forced to call Dennis Ngánga former Gor Mahia defender Dennis Ng’ang’a to replace Joseph Okumu, who plies his trade in France with Stade de Reims and Daniel Anyembe were left out after failing to recover in time for the matches.

Firat added that it will take time to build a formidable team that will eventually give Kenyans joy in the long run even as he called for patience from the fans.

The Turk has insisted he selects players depending on his philosophy, patterns of play and tactical view.

“We have more than 50 players whom we are following closely. It is not only the talent of the players but also how they fit in my system and football philosophy.”

“This all needs time. We have a team but we have to work on details; tactics. People have to understand it is a national team and we don’t have daily training where it would be easier to work on the finer details,” noted Firat.

Kenya faces a Gabon side that have not won their last three matches.

Last month, Gabon were held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in an international friendly match. Previously, they had lost their two consecutive matches against Mauritania (2-1) and DR Congo (2-0) in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Kenya Travellling Squad

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Ian Otieno (Zesco), Joseph Ochuka (Bandari)

Defenders

Nabi Kibunguchy (Orlando City), Hanif Wesonga (KCB), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Daniel Sakari (Tusker), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Eric Ouma (AIK), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Johnstone Omurwa (CF Estrela), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Dennis Ng'ang'a (Zanaco, Zambia)

Midfielders

Duncan Otieno (Gaborone United), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu), Duke Abuya (Singida), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Eric Johanna (UTA ARAD), Richard Odada (Aalborg), Alfred Scriven (Hodd), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg)

Forwards

Masud Juma (Al Faisaly), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia)