- The Kenya U20 squad depart for Tanzania on Friday 4 October.
- Kenya is in Group A alongside hosts Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti.
- Group B has Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia.
By Brian Magiri
Kenya’s U20 coach Salim Babu has announced his final squad that will travel to Tanzania for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers set to take place from 6-20 October 2024 in Dar es Salaam.
The list consists of 20 players, 11 of whom participated in the 2023 CECAFA U18 Boys Championship held in 2023.
International players led by highly rated Stanley Wilson who plays for Sweden’s AIK, Nastic Soccer’s Aldrine Kibet, Amos Wanjala of Spanish fifth-tier side Athletic Club Torrellano and Tyron Kariuki are among the standout players included in the final squad.
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Notably, Babu has also included new potential faces in the team. Kelly Madada of AFC Leopards, Lawrence Okoth of Michael Olunga Football Academy, Mombasa United player Jackson Imbiakha, Phabian Sheldon from FC Talanta and Nairobi City Stars defender Rodger Obusu are among the new players making their debut.
Hassan Beja from AFC Leopards and William Gitamu from Bandari who featured in the 2024 COSAFA tournament have also made a cut.
The 20-man squad was selected after thorough assessments and a series of buildup matches. Additionally, the selected squad embodies a well-balanced team ready for the tournament.
The Junior Stars are drawn in Group A alongside the host nation Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan and Djibouti.
The team will travel to Tanzania on Friday 4 October before kicking off their campaign against the host Tanzania at the KMC Stadium on Sunday followed by a match against Rwanda at the same venue on Thursday October 10.
Their third match will be against Djibouti at KMC Stadium on Sunday October 13 and the final group match will be against Sudan at Azam Complex on Tuesday October 15.
Uganda are the defending champions in the last AFCON U-20 Zonal qualifiers held in 2022 where they defeated South Sudan 2-1 in the final held at Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman, Khartoum.
The best two teams from each group will automatically advance to the semi-finals and the two finalists will earn the right to represent the CECAFA region at the AFCON U-20 tournament next year.
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Kenya U20 final squad
Goalkeepers
Ibrahim Wanzala, Joshua Keya
Defenders
Baron Ochieng, Manzur Suleiman, Jackson Imbiakha, Joseph Bate, Amos Wanjala, Rodgers Obusu
Midfielders
Stanley Wilson, Tyron Kariuki, Kelly Madada, William Gitamu, Phabian Sheldon
Forwards
Louise Ingavi, Andres Odhiambo, Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Wanganya, Hassan Beja, Dalphene Ezekiah, Lawrence Okoth
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Group A Fixtures
1. Tanzania vs. Kenya (KMC Stadium, 4 PM)
2. Rwanda vs. Kenya (KMC Stadium, 4 PM)
3. Djibouti vs. Kenya (KMC Stadium, 2 PM)
4. Sudan vs. Kenya (Azam Complex, 2 PM)
Group A: Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti, Kenya
Group B: Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia
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