Emerging Stars kicks off preps for Cecafa Championship

Emerging Stars kicks off preps for Cecafa Championship

The national U23 football team, the Emerging Stars, on Monday began residential training ahead of the 2021 CECAFA Championships set for Ethiopia.

Previously, the tourney featured senior players but with the new format, the tournament has now been reserved for under- 23 players with an allowance of only three senior players.

Emerging Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi expressed his gratitude towards coaches and clubs who agreed to release their best players for national team duty in spite of their busy schedules.

“We are missing a couple of players who are active for their clubs in the FKF Leagues; hopefully we will have a full house by the time we travel to Ethiopia. We still stand a chance, nonetheless. We are not yet there yet but I’m confident the players we have at our disposal are up to task,” said coach Okumbi.

The team hit camp on Sunday, to prepare for the tourney that will take place in Ethiopia’s Northern City of Bahir Dar.

Kariobangi Sharks custodian Brian Bwire AFC Leopards duo Yusuf Miange and Colins Shichenje as well as  returning Gor Mahia forward Benson Omalla are some of the highprfile players in the squad

Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers

Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), Caleb Otieno (Gor Mahia), Dolph Junior Owino (Nairobi Stima)

Defenders

Jimmy Ndungi (Tusker), Portipher Odhiambo (Vihiga Bullets), Silvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz), Moses Mudavadi (Nzoia), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards), Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Yussuf Mainge (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Wepo (KCB)

Midfielders

Joshua Nyatini (Posta Rangers), Marvin Nabwire (AFC Leopards), Sven Yidah (Nairobi City Stars), Vincent Wasambo (KCB), Faraj Ominde (Tusker), Reagan Otieno (KCB), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), Peter Thiong’o (AFC Leopards), Francis Mwangi (Mwatate United), Ambrose Sifuna (Sofapaka), Josephat Lopaga (Posta Rangers), Steiner Musasia (Posta Rangers), John Njuguna (Ulinzi Stars), Dennis Musamali (Nzoia Sugar), Elisha Wekesa (Nzoia Sugar)

Forwards

Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Ken Wanyonyi (Bungoma Superstars), Alfred Tanui (Kisumu All-Stars)

 

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Emerging Stars Cecafa Championship

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