Junior Stars learn U17 AFCON CECAFA qualifier fixtures
By Joel Masibo, November 12, 2025Kenya’s U17 national football team, the Junior Stars, has learned its fixtures for the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers under the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone, with all matches scheduled to be played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Fixtures
According to the fixture list released by the tournament organisers on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Junior Stars will begin their quest for continental qualification against Somalia on November 18, 2025, at 4:00 pm.
Kenya will then face Rwanda on November 21, 2025, at 1:00 pm, before squaring off against South Sudan on November 24, 2025, at 4:00 pm. The young Kenyan side will wrap up their group fixtures with a clash against hosts Ethiopia on November 27, 2025, at 3:00 pm.
The regional qualifiers, organised under CECAFA and sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will determine which teams from East and Central Africa advance to the final tournament of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya’s participation in this year’s qualifiers marks another important step in developing young football talent in the country. The Junior Stars will be looking to impress and follow in the footsteps of previous youth sides that have raised the nation’s flag high in regional competitions.
Junior Stars’ squad
Meanwhile, the side’s head coach, William Muluya, has announced his final 25-man squad that will represent the country in the U17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers, set to take place in Ethiopia from November 15 to December 2, 2025.
The Junior Stars have been placed in Group A alongside hosts Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Rwanda. They will be fighting for one of the two available slots for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the two finalists earning CECAFA’s slots for next year’s AFCON.
Muluya’s final squad includes goalkeepers Georgian Chris, Golan Oliech, and William Owino. The defence will be anchored by Cosmas Asunga, Eugene Ochieng, Nevil Simiyu, Stephen Ochieng, Edwin Annan, Raphael Omondi, Brighton Moses, Julius Ochieng, and Trevor Maluki.
In midfield, Derrick Mchiti, Wayne Wamaya, Derrick Khatete, Rayse Ochieng, Armstrong Omondi, Brighton Nacheri, and Denzel Omollo will provide creativity and control.
The forward line features Nicholas Onyango, Trevor Nasasiro, Nathan Achola, Collins Ochieng, Jeconia Agutu, and Marcos William, who will lead the team’s attack.