Emerging Stars squad for COSAFA 2024 confirmed
Harambee Stars assistant coach Ken Odhiambo has named the Kenya U23 traveling squad for the 2024 COSAFA Cup, scheduled to take place from June 26 to July 7, 2024, in South Africa.
A host of names originally called to camp have been dropped as Odhiambo settled on a youthful squad for the trip to Port Elizabeth.
Among the dropped names are goalkeeper Brian Bwire, Johnstone Omurwa, Teddy Akumu, Shariff Musa, Samuel Kapen, and Faiz Opande.
The travelling party will include players from the U18 and U20 setups who are set to gain the much-needed international experience according to coach Odhiambo.
Youngsters in the squad
The youngsters include Aldrine Kibet (Nastic Sports Academy), Amos Wanjala (Nastic Sports Academy), Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz), Stanley Wilson (Kariobangi Sharks) and Elly Owande (Migori Youth).
The squad will also receive a boost of international experience in players like Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo and Benson Omalla, Tusker’s Chris Erambo, AFC Leopards midfielder Kaycie Odhiambo, and Oman-based Alphonce Omija.
Kenya has been placed in Group B alongside Zambia, Comoros, and Zimbabwe. The U23 Stars will kick off their campaign against Zambia on June 27, 2024, at the NMB Stadium.
They will then face Comoros on June 30, 2024, at the Wolfson Stadium, and conclude their group matches with a match against Zimbabwe on July 2, 2024, at the Wolfson Stadium.
Kenya head coach Engin Firat has also confirmed his presence at the tournament, saying the decision is aimed at giving Odhiambo and his assistant William Muluya a chance to gather experience in charge of the national side.
“I will be there to watch from outside, the reason is very simple, it is our U23 not the national team, and therefore, we have to have trust with our technical staff and this means Ken (Odhiambo) and William (Muluya) will take charge of the team and we need to prepare them to work under pressure,” Firat told People Sports
The team is set to depart for South Africa on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Travelling squad
Goal Keepers
Byrne Omondi, Ibrahim Wanzala, Dolph Junior
Defenders
Alphonce Omija, Paul Ochuoga, Sylvester Owino, Geoffrey Onyango, Amos Wanjala
Midfielders
Stanley Wilson, Elly Owande, Chrispine Erambo, Aldrine Kibet, Austine Odhiambo, Patrick Otieno, John Ochieng, Kaycie Odhiambo, William Gitamu, Rooney Onyango.
Forwards
Benson Omalla, Jeremy Bissau, Alfred Tanui, Hassan Beja, Moses Shummah
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