Talanta Hela Dream Teams to play in Spain next year
The 2023 National Talanta Hela Dream teams are scheduled to play in the next year's Nastic Soccer Academy invitational tournament in Tarragona Spain.
The 80 players who are selected during the one-week special training camp in Nairobi are set to enjoy the trip to the North Eastern region of Spain as they endeavour to kick-start their professional football journeys.
The youngsters include 20 boys who are below the age of 20 and U17 boys. The figure is similar to that of the girls’ team that was scouted by a group of Kenyan football legends such as Tusker FC head coach Robert Matano, former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno, Allan Wanga and Francis Chinjili.
Nastic Soccer Academy is home to Kenyan promising stars Aldrine Kibet, Amos Wanjala and Alvine Kasavuli.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Talanta Hela All-Star team, Kenya Academy of Sports CEO Doreen Odhiambo expressed her delight for the program that is tailored by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to ameliorate the levels of football in the country.
“This camp has been very good; we began this journey in March 2023 at the grassroots level to now the elite national football camp. We are delighted that this tournament involved the whole country and for sure, we have witnessed massive talents some of whom are ripe for top-tier football. We have done a selection but it is not the end because we will keep on scouting for talents countrywide to scale the sport to greater heights. The final list of scouted players in the Dream Teams will travel to Spain next year in March for three weeks, taking part in the tournament at the Nastic Academy and training as well.
Head coach Stanley Okumbi who has been in charge of the boys’ team during the seven-day elite camp at the Kasarani Stadium was full of optimism about the direction the country has taken as far as football development is concerned.
"Our football is headed in the right direction and the players should grab this rare opportunity to the maximum. They should work harder for the betterment of football futures. I am glad to be part of this historic moment in our country, special gratitude to the Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba who has ensured the hatching and actualization of this noble idea. We believe that these players will mature and be helpful for our national teams,” Okumbi told People Sport.
Coach Jackline Juma who was looking after the girls’ team reiterated Okumbi’s sentiments.
The final list that is Spain-bound is headlined by the inclusion of a 17-year-old goalkeeper from Mandera County Dahir Abdikadir Abdulahi who is drawing inspiration from Harambee Stars custodian Patrick Matasi.
U20 Boys All Star Team
Ali Zambia (Mandera),Peter Juma (Nakuru),Amos Ngala (Mombasa) Ronald Echesa (Nakuru),Ismael Otieno (Kisumu),Telenor Ochieng (Vihiga),Hamisi Otieno ( Homabay),Daniel Omondi (Kiambu),Glen Masava (Kisumu),Derick Oketch (Vihiga),Johnson Mwangi (Nyeri),Collins Ouma (Kisumu),William Gitamu (Mombasa),Alext Tuwot (West Pokot),Glen Otieno (West Pokot),Nelson Kadenge (Vihiga),Obadiah Kiprotich (West Pokot),Carlos Imbukha (Vihiga),James Mwangi (Kiambu) and Vincent Otieno (Vihiga).
U17 Boys Team
Dahir Abdulkadir (Mandera),Malcom Imbwaka (Vihiga),Joseph Owino (Kisumu), Elisha Nalianya (Nakuru),Reagan Nyapala (Nakuru),
Brian Gateru (Nyeri), Neville Senelwa (Vihiga),Irad Mushindi (Kiambu),Polistin Okoth (Nakuru), Abdulhadhif Abdalla (Mombasa),Brian Murimi (Kirinyaga),Inistin Simiyu (West Pokot),
Austine Odongo (Vihiga),Munudin Ibrahim (Garisa),Nicholas Odhiambo (Nkauru),Alex Kyalo (Makueni),Abdinahab Abdile (Makueni),
Ben Otieno (Makueni), Michael Sidinga (Makueni) and Joseph Ndung’u (Nakuru).
U20 Girls’ Team
Christine Adhiambo,Yvonne Kangashi,Mercy Akoth,Beryl Achieng,Ann Brenda,Dalphine Ayesa,Vida Okeyo, Celestine Achieng,Ivy Alivisa,Gladwel Malina,Litron Kimuli,Sheila Kemunto,Ruth Akinyi,Clotilda Auma,Seline Achieng,Emilly Moranga,Yvonne Sekila,Quinter Adhiambo,Marytrisha Nafula,Sunira Were,Mitchel Waithera,Elizabeth Mideva,Saum Masungo,Euphrasia Isichi and Habiba Japheti
Girls U17 Team
Scovia Awour,Christine Adhiambo,Felister Atieno,Genevive Mitchel,Vivian Amondi,Brenda Wechesa,Judith Nandwa,Precious Zawadi,Asha Mazisa,Halima Omar,Fatuma Wanja,Velma Awour,Diana Anyango,Teresa Nzisa,Catline Kurgat, Ann Munyiva,Marion Musanga,Peruz Elizabeth,Valencia Ochieng,Joy Marvelous,Hilda Natecho,Hilda Ruhusa,Dorcas Glenda,Faith Wasike and Cynthia Awino.
