Kelly Madada Called Up to Harambee Stars Squad for Pretoria Friendlies
AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada has been handed a late call-up to the Harambee Stars squad for the June 2025 international window, as coach Benni McCarthy made key changes ahead of the friendly matches in Pretoria, South Africa. The recall comes after in-form striker Ryan Ogam and midfielder Job Ochieng were dropped from the final travelling party opening the door for one of Kenya’s most exciting young talents to return to the national setup.
A Dramatic Squad Shakeup Ahead of the Pretoria Window
The announcement of any national team roster brings a mixture of heartbreak and euphoria and this June window delivered one of the most dramatic selection updates in recent memory. McCarthy’s technical bench made a series of last-minute tactical adjustments, resulting in the omission of both Ogam and Ochieng from the final travelling list.
Their absence created a vacancy that Madada was quick to fill. The AFC Leopards starlet is one of three new additions to the squad, alongside goalkeeper Brian Bwire and utility player Amos Nondi. The June friendlies give McCarthy another opportunity to evaluate his options as Kenya continues building towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host.
Madada’s Road Back: A Story of Sporting Resilience
Madada’s return to the international fold is a story of genuine sporting resilience. Despite delivering outstanding performances for AFC Leopards in the FKF Premier League — helping Ingwe finish runners-up in the 2025/26 SportPesa Premier League season the teenager had been left out of several previous squads, frustrating the Nairobi club’s faithful.
Rather than letting those omissions affect his output, Madada responded by raising his level even higher. He finished the season as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in the league, earning widespread praise and ultimately forcing his way back into McCarthy’s plans.
This call-up marks a significant step forward in a career that has already included representation at Kenya U-20 and U-23 level, as well as his first senior cap at the 2025 Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar.
| “In just 170 minutes of play for AFC Leopards, Madada registered two assists, scored his maiden goal, and won two Man of the Match awards — enough to earn his first Harambee Stars call-up.” |
What Madada Brings to the Harambee Stars Midfield
Tactically, the AFC Leopards midfielder offers the national team a different dimension in the center of the park. Known for his box-to-box energy, aggressive pressing, and ability to break up opposition transitions, Madada provides a layer of defensive security that allows Kenya’s attacking players to push higher up the pitch with confidence.
His experience in high-intensity FKF Premier League derbies means he is well equipped for the competitive demands of international football. He has the physicality, the technical quality, and crucially the mentality to perform when the stakes are high.
Can Madada Convert This Chance Into a Starting Spot?
A late call-up rarely comes with guarantees of playing time. As the squad settles into camp in Pretoria, Madada will need to make every training session count to convince McCarthy he deserves a starting berth.
If he can carry his club form onto the international stage, his redemption arc will be complete. Kenyan football fans and the Ingwe faithful in particular will be watching closely. For an 18-year-old who not long ago was coming off the bench for cameo appearances at club level, being in a senior Harambee Stars squad heading to South Africa is a remarkable achievement and potentially just the beginning.
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