Zinedine Wesonga’s hopes of representing Kenya at the CECAFA U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have been extinguished by an age technicality, but the Kakamega Homeboyz midfielder is refusing to let the setback derail what he hopes will be his breakthrough season.
Wesonga was among the 56 players named in Gilbert Selebwa’s provisional Rising Stars squad for the upcoming CECAFA U20 qualifiers in Tanzania, where Kenya will battle for one of the region’s two tickets to next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, the midfielder’s hopes of making the final squad were quashed during the team’s reporting and age-verification process.Ali ‘Teargas’ Abondo rejoins Gor Mahia after landing coaching jobThe 19-year-old, who turns 20 in mid-September, was among four players whose date of birth ruled them out of the tournament despite initially making the provisional list.For Wesonga, it was a disappointing turn of events, particularly after receiving his first call-up to the national U20 setup. But instead of allowing the disappointment to linger, the Homeboyz youngster has quickly turned his attention back to the club and the season ahead.He returned to Kakamega Homeboyz training on Monday and has immediately resumed work with Edward Manoah’s squad as the club continues its preparations for the new FKF Premier League campaign.
“I was happy when I got the call-up because every young player wants to represent the country. But after the age verification, I understood the situation, and there was nothing I could do about it,” Wesonga says.”I have accepted it, and now my focus is on Homeboyz. I have to keep working hard because I know another opportunity will come.”The disappointment comes at a time when Wesonga is beginning to make significant strides in senior football.
Now entering his second season with Homeboyz, the former St Anthony’s Boys player made six league appearances last season, scoring once. His appearances came against Bidco United, Sofapaka, Kariobangi Sharks, AFC Leopards and Kenya Police, giving him valuable exposure at the highest level of Kenyan domestic football.His debut campaign also offered glimpses of his versatility. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Wesonga was even deployed at centre-back during Homeboyz’s Ingo Derby clash with AFC Leopards in May, a reflection of the adaptability that has increasingly become part of his game.
Now, however, he wants more than cameos.With a full preseason behind him and a second campaign at the club approaching, Wesonga has set himself an ambitious target: becoming a regular starter for Manoah’s side.”My target is to work hard and try to start every match for Homeboyz,” he says. “I know competition will be there because we have many good players, but I believe if I work hard and remain focused, I can get my chance.”
For a player who has already experienced the disappointment of missing out on a national-team opportunity, the setback may ultimately serve as additional motivation.Wesonga believes his next route into international football could come through the Kenya U23 setup once he establishes himself at club level.”I know another chance will come, maybe with the U23s. I just have to continue working and improving. I am still young, and I have a lot to learn.”
That mindset has been evident since his return to Homeboyz, where he has kept his head down and joined his teammates in preparations for the new season.The midfielder’s ambitions extend beyond simply earning regular playing time. He has set his sights on ending the campaign among the league’s standout young players and believes a strong season could put him in contention for the FKF Premier League Young Player of the Year award.”At the end of the season, I want people to look back and say I had a good season. I want to play many matches, help the team and hopefully win the Young Player of the Year award.”
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It is an ambitious target for a player still in the early stages of his senior career, but Wesonga’s trajectory suggests he is willing to back himself.His inclusion in the provisional Rising Stars squad was recognition that his progress at Homeboyz has not gone unnoticed. Although the U20 opportunity has disappeared for now, the midfielder returns to club football with another opportunity in front of him.And with a second season at Homeboyz offering the prospect of greater responsibility, Wesonga knows that the best response to the latest setback is one he can control: putting in the work. For now, the Rising Stars door may have closed because of his age. But Wesonga believes there are other doors ahead, and he intends to be ready when they open.