Daniel Sakari joins Kenya camp - Photo FKF Media.
Harambee Stars camp has received two new arrivals - goalkeeper Brian Bwire and midfielder Daniel Sakari - as they prepare to face Zimbabwe and Namibia in their final two games of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Harambee Stars will face the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Friday, November 15 at Peter Makoba Stadium in South Africa before winding up their Group J fixtures against the Brave Warriors of Namibia on Tuesday, November 19 at the same venue.
Bwire, who plays for Polokwane City in South Africa, has been drafted into the squad to replace Ian Otieno, who has not been released by his South African club Richard Bays while Sakari is replacing Adam Wilson, who has been given time off to attend to family issues.
A statement from Football Kenya Federation (FKF) obtained by Pan-Africa Football, confirmed the latest development by saying: “Goalkeeper Brian Bwire steps in for Ian Otieno while Daniel Sakari replaces Adam Wilson, who will miss the qualifiers on compassionate grounds following the passing of his grandmother.”
With Kenya Police custodian Patrick Matasi being axed following a spate of poor performances and Otieno being ruled out, it means KCB goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo could likely start between the sticks against the Warriors of Zimbabwe and the Brights Stars of Namibia.
Shikhalo, who is making a comeback to the national team, is currently having a great season with the Bankers in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League, where he has managed to keep five cleans sheats from eight matches.
Kenya currently sits third in Group J with four points with Cameroon leading the pile with 10 points and Zimbabwe following in second position with eight points. They kicked off their qualification campaign with a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe and recovered to beat Namibia 2-1.
However, their qualification campaign hopes took a nose dive after they lost twice to Cameroon in a two-legged matchday four and five.
Kenya suffered a 4-1 defeat in the first round meeting at Japoma Stadium before the four-time African champions sealed a double with a 1-0 win against the East African nation at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda.
Kenya Final Squad;
Goalkeepers; Byrne Omondi, Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire.
Defenders; Daniel Anyembe, Amos Wanjala, Amos Nondi, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Charles Momanyi, Eric Ouma, Abud Omar.
Midfielders; Anthony Akumu, Marvin Nabwire, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Richard Odada, Austine Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Alfred Scriven, Leshan Mootian, Daniel Sakari.
Forwards; Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, John Avire.
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