Rising Stars head coach Gilbert Selebwa has named his final 25-man squad for the upcoming CECAFA U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Tanzania, with a blend of school-based prospects, local club players and a handful of youngsters plying their trade abroad.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsSelebwa, who recently took charge of the Rising Stars from Salim Babu, has opted for a balanced squad as he begins his tenure with the responsibility of guiding Kenya back to the continental showpiece.Harambee Stars winger breaks Alexander Isak's record after scoring first LaLiga goalThe squad features a strong representation from schools, with Theodore Mwangi (Ongata Academy), Eugine Belety (Kakamega School), Stephen Ouma (St Mary’s Yala), Trevor Nasasiro (St Anthony’s Kitale), Brighton Nacheri (Kakamega School), Julius Ochieng (Kakamega School) and Brighton Omondi (St Mary’s Yala) earning selection.Notably, several players have made the step up from last year’s U17 side to the U20 set-up, among them Raphael Omondi, Eugine Belety, Trevor Nasasiro, Yusuf Ahmed, Armstrong Omondi, Brighton Nacheri and Julius Ochieng—a sign of seamless progression through the national youth ranks.##NAJAVA_MECA_9945915##The foreign legion comprises five players, led by Yusuf Ahmed of Swedish side Utsikten BK, alongside Abdirizak Nurie of Berlin FC and Quincy Waithanji of Germany’s BFC Dynamo.The attacking options abroad are represented by Seedoph Zgoll of Dereham FC in the United States and Keylah Mauko of Spanish side CF Reus Deportiu.Timothy Ouma lambasted by former Premier League referee after conceding cheap penaltyLocally, Kariobangi Sharks and Migori Youth provide the biggest contingents, with three players each. Sharks have contributed Armstrong Omondi, Raphael Omondi and goalkeeper Wayne Orata, while Migori Youth’s representatives are Churchill Otieno, Harmvine Okoth and Allan Omondi.Only two players from the squad that represented Kenya at the previous U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt have retained their places. They are Bernard Jairo of Nairobi United and Telena Ochieng, who recently joined Tusker FC from Ulinzi Stars.##NAJAVA_MECA_9946125##Tough qualifying assignmentKenya have been placed in Group C and will open their qualifying campaign against Burundi on Thursday, 17 September at 8 pm at Uhuru Stadium, before facing South Sudan two days later at 2 pm at the same venue.The group winners, alongside the best-performing second-placed team, will progress to the semi-finals, with the finalists securing qualification tickets to represent the region at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.Former Sports PS arrested over 2018 CHAN millions as Nick Mwendwa walks freeKenya secured its maiden U20 AFCON appearance in 2024 after reaching the tournament through the regional qualifiers, despite losing 2-1 to Tanzania in the final under Salim Babu.Selebwa, who previously coached AFC Leopards, now inherits the task of ensuring the Rising Stars return to the continental stage and build towards the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.##NAJAVA_MECA_9945923##Final SquadGoalkeepersWayne Orata (Kariobangi Sharks FC) Benard Jairo (Nairobi United FC) Theodore Mwangi (Ongata Academy)DefendersRaphael Omondi (Kariobangi Sharks FC) Eugine Belety (Kakamega School) Telena Ochieng (Tusker FC) Charles Auma (FC Talanta) Edwin Jumba (Shabana FC) Rodgers Wasega (Posta Rangers FC) Stephen Ouma (St. Mary's, Yala)MidfieldersNasasiro Trevor (St. Anthony's, Kitale) Hamvin Okoth (Migori Youth FC) Yusuf Ahmed (Utsikten BK, Sweden) Armstrong Omondi (Kariobangi Sharks FC) Churchil Ombuor (Migori Youth FC) Brighton Nacheri (Kakamega School) Allan Otieno (Migori Youth FC) Abdirizak Nurie (Berlin FC) Quincy Waithanji (BFC Dynamo, Germany)ForwardsBravin Omondi (Mombasa Elite FC) Julius Ochieng (Kakamega School) Keylah Mauko (CF Reus Deportiu, Spain) Austine Odongo (Shaban FC) Seedoph Zgoll (Dereham FC, United Kingdom) Brighton Omondi (St. Mary's, Yala).
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