Vyner, Obiero set for Harambee Stars debut after landing call-ups for March friendlies

Wrexham defender Zak Vyner will finally get a chance to make his national team debut for Kenya, after landing a call-up for Harambee Stars, ahead of their participation in the FIFA Series tournament in Kigali later this month.

Vyner, who earlier this week committed to playing for Kenya, is among the standout names that have made Benni McCarthy’s side, which is due to be in action between Monday, 23 and Tuesday, 31 March.

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The English-born center back born to a Kenyan mother earned his first Harambee Stars call-up in May 2024, but did not feature after his passport was not processed in time.

He is joined in the 23-man squad by another potential debutant in Zech Obiero, who is in the team for the first time, after also pledging his international future with Kenya this week.

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The English-born midfielder, born to a Kenyan father, was last year called up to the Kenya U20 team, but missed out on the final U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad in Egypt.

The 21-year-old currently plays for English League Two Tranmere Rovers, where he is on loan from parent side Leyton Orient.

Also in the category of notable inclusions, is the presence of Grimsby Town winger Clarke Oduor, who returns to the national team for the first time since September 2023.

McCarthy's squad, which is expected to report to residetial camp on Sunday, 22 March, also sees the return of Gor Mahia defender Frank Odhiambo after a long spell out, while Richard Odada, Manzur Okwaro, Austin Odhiambo and Mohammed Bajaber all bounce back after being dropped for separate reasons at various points last year.

On the flipside, there is no place in the squad for the on-form striker Moses Shumah, who misses out despite enjoying a productive spell for Zambian side Power Dynamos.

Shumah, who has four Harambee Stars caps, on Thursday, 12 March scored a brace to take his league tally to 14 goals this season, and remain the front-runner for the golden boot.

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The leader in the top-scorer's race in Kenya - Joe Waithira - is another man excluded from McCarthy's side, this coming at a time when his consistency infront of goal has gone unmatched, and has publicly expressed his wish to don the national team colors.

Kenya has been drawn in a competitive group alongside European side Estonia, Caribbean nation Grenada and regional rivals Rwanda.

Their first match is scheduled for Friday, 27 March against Estonia, with the other fixture on Monday, 30 March pitting them either against the winner or loser of the Rwanda - Grenada tie.

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FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire, Ian Otieno

Defenders

Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Zak Vyner (Wrexham), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police)

Midfielders

Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Richard Odada (FC Uta Arad), Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Manzur Suleiman (Stade De Reims)

Attackers

Austine Odhiambo (Nejmeh), William Lenkupae (Unattached), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Mohammed Bajaber (Simba FC), Zech Obiero (Tranmere Rovers), Clarke Oduor (Grimsby Town), Michael Olunga (Al Arabi), Ryan Ogam (Wolfsberger), Lawrence Okoth (SJK Seinajoki).