Kenya Under-23 head coach Anthony Kimani has named the Emerging Stars provisional squad for the second round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire.
The Emerging Stars reached the second round after overcoming Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate in a thrilling first-round tie.Kenya will host the first leg on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 pm EAT at Nyayo National Stadium, before travelling to Abidjan for the return leg.
The second leg will be played on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 10:00 pm EAT at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
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Kimani’s squad features a core group of players who were involved in the first-round tie against Tanzania, alongside several additions.
Aldrine Kibet returns to the squad after missing the first round due to work permit issues, while Jackson Imbiakha and Humphrey Aroko are back after sitting out the previous tie through injury.
Mark Kithome, who did not make the final squad for the first round, has also been included, alongside Glen Githinji of newly promoted 3K FC.
There is also an overlap between the Emerging Stars and Harambee Stars provisional squads, with four players named in both squads ahead of the upcoming international assignments.
The four are Caleb Kramer, Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Wangaya and Lawrence Okoth.
The quartet were also included in Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars squad released earlier this week for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa.
Emerging Stars provisional squad to face Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Caleb Kramer, Collins Omondi, Kevin Oduor, Bernard Jairo.
Defenders: Ian Omondi, Joseph Bate, Jackson Imbiakha, Robinson Musungu, Collins Ochieng, Baron Ochieng, Price Musebe, Wyclliffe Awiko, Bilal Otieno, Telena Ochieng.
Midfielders: Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Wangaya, Kelly Madada, Andres Odhiambo, Irad Mshindi, Humphrey Aroko, Oliver Majaka, Zachary Nyakwara, Glen Githinji, Ateek Omar, Jack Steel, Mark Kithome.
Forwards: Brooklyn Kazungu, Lawrence Okoth, Paul Osama, Jeremy Bisau, Syphas Otieno, Stephen Omondi, Dan Omalla, Emmanuel Osoro, Collins Okello, Henry Omollo, Colin Akeno, Javan Ochieng, Hassan Beja.