Former Sofapaka coach to lead Harambee Stars U23 in COSAFA

Former Sofapaka FC coach Ken Odhiambo has been picked to lead the Harambee Stars U23 team in the upcoming Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup.

Odhiambo, who currently serves as the assistant coach of the senior Harambee Stars team under head coach Engin Firat, will take on the role of head coach for the U23 squad.

Harambee Stars coaches

Kariobangi Sharks coach and fellow assistant, William Muluya, will serve as his deputy.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed this development while announcing the provisional squad for the tournament.

“The team will be under the guidance of Harambee Stars assistant coach Ken Odhiambo. His compatriot in the senior national team, William Muluya, will support him,” FKF stated.

Kenya received an invitation to participate in the COSAFA Cup after Malawi’s withdrawal from the tournament, which is traditionally contested by countries from southern Africa.

The provisional squad features several notable inclusions, especially from international clubs. Former AFC Leopards striker Josphat Lopaga, currently with Dynamo Brest in Belarus, is part of the lineup alongside Zech Obiero from Leyton Orient in England, George Gitau from Middlesbrough, and Jeremy Bissau from Brooke House College in England.

Adding to the foreign-based talent, Alphonce Omija from Dhofar, Oman, who debuted for the senior Harambee Stars against Ivory Coast, John Ochieng from Zanaco, Zambia, and Faiz Opande from the USA have also been included in the squad.

Promising U18 players Amos Wanjala and Aldrine Kibet, who shone at last year’s CECAFA U18 Championships, have made the cut alongside Wilson Stanley.

Gor Mahia are well-represented with players Paul Ochuoga, Shariff Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, and Rooney Onyango included in the squad. Additionally, AFC Leopards’ Kaycie Odhiambo and Hassan Beja have been named.

Experienced players such as Anthony Akumu and Johnstone Omurwa bring valuable experience to the squad, providing a blend of youthful energy and seasoned expertise.

Preparations for the regional showpiece will begin on June 20, 2024, with the team starting residential training in Nairobi. The squad aims to make a strong impression in the tournament, leveraging the opportunity to compete at an international level.

The 2024 COSAFA Cup promises to be an exciting event, with the inclusion of the Harambee Stars U23 team adding a unique dynamic to the competition. Fans and stakeholders are eager to see how the team performs against some of the best young talents from southern Africa.

Harambee Stars u23 Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Bryne Omondi (Bandari), Brian Bwire (Tusker), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Defenders

Alphonce Omija (Dhofar, Oman), Paul Ochuoga (Gor Mahia), Boniface Onyango (Tusker), Geoffrey Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Hanniff Wesonga (KCB), Amos Wanjala (Nastic Sports Academy, Spain), Johnstone Omurwa (Portugal), Faiz Opande (USA), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka)

Midfielders

Wilson Stanley (Kariobangi Sharks), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Aldrine Kibet (Nastic Sports, Spain), Bajaber Mohammed (City Stars), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Patrick Otieno (Posta Rangers), Hassan Beja (AFC Leopards), Emmanuel Osoro (Nzoia Sugar), William Gatimu (Bandari), Fortune Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards)

Forwards

Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia), Josphat Lopaga (Dynamo Brest, Belarus), Samuel Kapen (Nairobi City Stars), Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Zech Obiero (Leyton Orient, England), George Gitau (Middlesborough, England), Jeremy Bissau (Brooke House College, England)

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