William Lenkupae: The Australian-Born Sensation Shining for Harambee Stars

Benni McCarthy named his first Harambee Stars squad, which had many familiar faces and had been the team’s backbone.

He initially picked 50 players but later trimmed the list for the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.

Among the players who traveled to Ivory Coast for the Gambia match, a few new names appeared. However, none stood out more than William Lenkupae.

Who is William Lenkupae?

William Lenkupae Wilson is one of the newest faces in Kenyan football, bringing fresh talent to the national team.

The 23-year-old midfielder plays for Central Coast Mariners in Australia but has now set his sights on representing Harambee Stars.

Born in Australia on December 23, 2001, Lenkupae grew up in a football-loving environment. Despite his roots in Australia, he has never played for the Socceroos, making him eligible to switch allegiance to Kenya.

With his technical skills, vision, and ability to control the midfield, Lenkupae is expected to be a key addition to the Harambee Stars.

Fans are eager to see how he performs on the international stage as Kenya prepares for more crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Club Career

Lenkupae began his professional career with Melbourne Victory, making his debut in an FFA Cup playoff match against Perth Glory on November 24, 2021.

He played his first A-League match on February 16, 2022, against Western Sydney Wanderers and earned his first start in a New Year’s Eve fixture against Central Coast Mariners.

After two seasons with Victory, the club released him on August 26, 2023. He then signed with Central Coast Mariners, where he quickly made an impact.

Lenkupae debuted in an AFC Cup match in Malaysia and scored his first A-League goal in an F3 Derby win on November 25, 2023.

He played a key role in the Mariners’ 2023-24 A-League Premiership and their AFC Cup-winning campaign.

Personal life

In March 2025, William Lenkupae received his first call-up to the Kenyan national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.

He made an instant impact on his debut on March 20, scoring in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia.

Born in Australia but with Kenyan roots from the Samburu community, Lenkupae chose to represent Harambee Stars over the Socceroos, adding fresh talent to Kenya’s midfield.

William Wilson Lenkupae’s stats

According to Transfermarkt, William Lenkupae stands at 1.70m tall and has a market value of €150,000 (approximately 22.1 million Ksh).

This season, he has made six appearances for Central Coast Mariners but hasn’t featured since January 11, when he came off the bench in a 4-1 loss to Sydney FC.

His club, Central Coast Mariners, plays at the 20,000-seater stadium in Gosford and currently sits 10th in the standings. Their last victory came on January 17 as they struggled to climb up the league table.

Choosing Kenya Over Australia

Born and raised in Australia, William Lenkupae qualified to play for Kenya through his parentage. Although he never featured for Australia at the youth level, he remained eligible for a Harambee Stars call-up.

After discussions with head coach Benni McCarthy, Lenkupae felt Kenya was the right choice for his international career.

“I spoke to the coach, and he put a good idea in my head. I thought this was perfect for me. I’ve always been in touch with this place,” Lenkupae said.