Its full house in the national U20 soccer team,Rising Stars, camp following the arrival of seven foreign based players.
The national U20 soccer team is preparing for the CECAFA U20 qualifiers which kick off on October 6th -20th in Dar E Salam, Tanzania.
Rising Stars head coach Salim Babu said they have retained a bigger number of players who featured for Kenya at the CECAFA U18 in Kisumu where Kenya finished runner up in 2023.
‘’Since we played Cecafa in Kisumu most of the players are still on and are plying their trade in Europe so the squad that we had in Kisumu is intact, almost the three quarters of the squad is here’’, Babu remarked.
The foreign based legion led by Spain based Amos Wanjala, Aldrine Kibet and Tyron Kariuki have arrived in camp.
‘’All the players based abroad have arrived players like Baron Ochieng, Amos Wanjala and the rest have arrived and we hope that by Monday everything will be set’’, Babu added.
Kenya is pooled in Group A alongside hosts Tanzania,Rwanda,Sudan and Djibouti. Group B has Burundi,Uganda,South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Two top teams will qualify to represent CECAFA region at next years Africa Cup of Nations Under 20 championship whose dates and venue is set to be revealed in due course.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz), Sammy Saboke (AFC Leopards), Benard Maeri (Ruiru Hot Stars), Joshua Keya (Kibera Black Stars), Peter Juma (Nakuru Bucks)
Defenders
Joseph Bate (MOFA), Amos Wanjala (Athletic Club Tollerano), Manzur Okwaro, Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka), Collins Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks), Rodgers Wasega (Nairobi City Stars), Francis Gethoi (Naivas), Mohammed Aden Kaire (Mombasa United), Meguel Osotsi (Highway Secondary School), Charles Auma (Sofapaka), Jackson Imbiakha (Mombasa United)
Midfielders
Stanley Wilson (A.I.K), Andres Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Elly Owande (Al Nasra), Kevin Wangaya (FC Tirana), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Lucas Maina (Murang’a Seal), Benard Odhiambo (Nairobi United), Wiliam Gitamu (Bandari), Hamisi Otieno (Goseta High School), Irad Mushidi (Musingu High School), Houstin Oluoch (Musingu High School),
Forwards
Tyron Kariuki, Aldrine Kibet (Nastic Soccer Academy), Louise Ingavi (Montverde Academy), Dalphene Omuri (Shabana), Mark Shaban (Gor Mahia), Austine Odongo (Shabana), Jeremy Bisau (Cheshunt FC), Abdalla Egesa (Bidco United), Javan Omondi (Ulinzi Stars), Syphas Otieno (MOFA), Isaac Oweri (Nairobi United/ Vasalund), Harrison Amalemba (Musingu High School), Linus Munyao (Riffa Sports Club), Hassan Beja (AFC Leopards), Nesta Olum (AFC Leopards), Adrian Oloo (Nairobi United), Dancan Odhiambo (Nairobi United), Humphrey Aroko (Kariobangi Sharks/ Highway Secondary School), Oliver Machaka (Kakamega Homeboyz), Lawrence Ouma (MOFA), Clinton Asiako (Bidco United), Henry Omollo (Fountain Gate), Izadin Mohammed (Bandari)
