- Three teenagers who are eligible to play for Harambee Stars have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the past few years.
- Emmanuel Ziro and Maker Majok are currently playing for Manchester United while Leo Messo continues to grow at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy.
- Should Ziro, Messo and Majok develop into star players and decide to play for Harambee Stars, they can help Kenya shine at international stage.
The Kenyan national football team, Harambee Stars, has struggled to reach prestigious international competitions since independence.
Harambee Stars has never taken part in a FIFA World Cup tournament despite the special talents that have played for the team in recent years.
From former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama to the mercurial Joe Kadenge, many stars ended their Kenya national men’s football career without playing in the FIFA World Cup.
However, Kenyan football fans continue to dream that one day they will be able to see Harambee Stars play in the global showpiece.
Although Lupita Nyong’o once stated that dreams are valid, the dream of Kenya featuring in a FIFA World Cup tournament will only be achieved by nurturing talent and good planning.
The recent appointment of South African coach Benni McCarthy and the emergence of youngsters like Aldrine Kibet and William Wilson Lenkupae has made Harambee Stars supporters to be more hopeful of success in the near future.
Nonetheless, Kibet, and Lenkupae are not the only players with Kenyan roots who have made headlines in the past few months.
SportPesa Blog takes a look at three talented youngsters playing for Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United, who are capable of helping Harambee Stars achieve its FIFA World Cup dream.
Harambee Stars prospect Maker Majok joins Man United
Kenyan-born prodigy Maker Majok was signed by European heavyweights Manchester United a few days ago.
The 11-year-old attacker is expected to work with experts at the Manchester United Academy and improve his talent.
Majok’s football statistics shows that he is capable of growing into one of the best footballers in the world should he remain focused and committed.
The player, who is also eligible to play for South Sudan due to his parents’ connection with Kenya’s neighbor, scored an impressive 31 goals in 20 appearances for Coach Hene Sports Club.
He also provided 18 assists in those matches, making him one of the most gifted forwards in his age category in the universe.
ALSO READ: Where does Michael Olunga rank in Harambee Stars’ all-time top scorer list?
According to a statement from Coach Hene Sports Club, Majok has all the needed ingredients to succeed in the competitive football industry.
“Maker has been an integral part of our third squad since the tender age of seven, showcasing unwavering promise and resilience in adapting to life’s challenges while embracing the joyous moments along the way,” part of the statement from the institution read.
Should Majok fulfil his potential and decide to play for the Harambee Stars, he might help the team reach its goals.
Harambee Stars hopeful Leo Messo signs for Arsenal
Leo Messo is another player eligible to don the Harambee Stars jersey who is currently in the books of a top Premier League club.
Messo, whose father hails from Ugenya, Siaya County, was signed by the Arsenal Football Academy in 2021 at the age of 10.
The left footed goal machine is likely to follow the footsteps of other Hale End Academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri and perhaps play for Harambee Stars in future.
Harambee Stars potential player Emmanuel Ziro pens deal with Man United
Finally, Emmanuel Ziro, who was recently signed by Manchester United, is eligible to play for Harambee Stars.
Ziro was born and partially raised in Kenya’s coastal County of Kilifi hence he can play for Kenya should he decide to do so.
The player, who has previously had stints with the likes of Crystal Palace, works with the Manchester United U18 side at the moment.
ALSO READ: Fact check: Is Manchester United’s new U16 signing Emmanuel Ziro a Kenyan?