Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) head coach Gilbert Selebwa has been appointed as the new head coach of Kenya’s Rising Stars, taking charge of the national Under-20 team ahead of next month’s CECAFA U20 AFCON qualifiers in Tanzania.
Selebwa replaces Salim Babu, who guided the previous Rising Stars side to continental football. The experienced tactician and has moved quickly to assemble a provisional squad for the forthcoming assignment.
The experienced coach will work alongside former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno and former Ulinzi Stars head coach Dunstan Nyaudo. Legendary Kenyan goalkeeper Francis Onyiso is expected to join the technical bench as goalkeeper coach.
The tournament carries considerable importance for the young players, with the two finalists earning the right to represent the region at the 2027 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. The provisional squad brings together players from the FKF Premier League, National Super League, lower divisions, academies, schools and a handful of players based abroad.
The school-based players are expected to form a second cohort and join camp after the selection process involving the club-based contingent is completed. The first group will report to the Mashuuru Sports Complex on Friday as preparations officially get underway.
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Among the most eye-catching names in the squad are captain Amos Wanjala and midfielder Aldrine Kibet, who are both currently developing their careers in Spain, with Wanjala at Valencia Academy and Kibet at Celta Fortuna.
Swedish-based Andreas Odhiambo of Enkopings SK also features among the overseas-based players, giving Selebwa’s squad an international flavour as he attempts to build a side capable of navigating the demanding qualifying tournament.
The goalkeeping department includes Boaz Muchiri, who was part of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association 2024 winning team and now plays for Mathare United.Arnold Shivachi of KCB, Rovin Odhiambo of Luanda Villa and Phillip Omollo of Vickers complete the provisional goalkeeping list.Bonface Ambani reveals 4 areas of focus ahead of AFC Leopards’ new seasonTelena Ochieng of Tusker retains his place in the team, with Elisha Nalianya of Kakamega Homeboyz, Bilal Otieno of Mathare United, Franklyn Omollo of Kariobangi Sharks, Daniel Ogalo of AFC Leopards and Kevin Musambai of Ulinzi Stars also included.
The midfield is the largest department in the provisional squad, with players drawn from clubs including;Kakamega Homeboyz, AFC Leopards, KCB, Ulinzi Stars, Kariobangi Sharks, Bandari, Mombasa United, Naivas, Gor Youth, Migori Youth and MOFA.
Among them are: Zinedine Wesonga, Adrian Oloo, Paul Kinyanjui, Rafael Omondi, Steward Armstrong, Hashim Munyendo, Iddi Wesonga and Vincent Omondi.CAF reveals Kenya’s path to U23 Africa Cup of NationsThe attacking department features KCB’s Alfred Ratolo, Kariobangi Sharks’ Nicholas Omondi, AFC Leopards’ Bravin Makani and Shabana duo Austin Odongo and Luis Ingavi.Syphas Otieno of Nairobi United, Inistin Simiyu of Mara Sugar, Livingstone Ochieng of Gor Youth, Markvivian Khisa and Quincy Mbugua of BFC Dynamo complete the forward options.The immediate task is to turn a broad provisional list into a competitive unit within a short period, with Tanzania providing the first major examination of his tenure.
Kenya Under 20 Team PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERSArnold Shivachi (KCB FC), Boaz Muchiri (Mathare United), Rovin Odhiambo (Luanda Villa), Phillip Omollo (Vickers)
DEFENDERSElisha Nalianya (Kakamega Homeboyz), Bilal Otieno (Mathare United), Franklyn Omollo (Kariobangi Sharks), Daniel Ogalo (AFC Leopards), Telena Ochieng (Tusker FC), Kevin Musambai (Ulinzi Stars), Baraka Rodgers (Bandari), Suale Juma (Bandari), Swale Abu (Ksharks), Micheal Eshirama (Samitsi FC), Amos Wanjala (Valencia Academy), Collins Ochieng (Tusker FC), Jermaine Msine (Cryuff Academy)
MIDFIELDERS: Zinedine Wesonga (Kakamega Homeboyz), Adrian Oloo (Ulinzi Stars), Paul Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Emmanuel Aduga (Shabana Youth), Rafael Omondi (Kariobangi Sharks), Martins Odiero (Mombasa Elite), Steward Armstrong (Kariobangi Sharks), Hashim Munyendo (AFC Leopards), Iddi Wesonga (AFC Leopards), Glen Yannick Kariuki (3K FC), Erastus Erute (Bandari), Eugene Barasa (Homeboyz), Ashraf Thaire (Mombasa United), Moses Mulekano (Naivas), Collins Mwalati (Bandari), Suleiman Kalema (Bandari Youth), Ramadhan Hamisi (Mombasa United), Khamis Mohammed (Mombasa United), Collins Okello (Unattached), Sweden Collins Mboya (Naivas), Sammy Indonyi (Luanda Villa), Derrick Owino (Spitfire), Lemmy Menza (Mombasa United), Meloy Odhiambo (Ksharks), Jabes Otieno (Gor Youth), Wayne Moya (Gor Youth), Lee Njiru (Gor Youth), Michael Owen (Murang’a Seal), Churchill Otieno (Migori Youth), Humphrey Okoth (Migori Youth), Morgan Onyango (Migori Youth), Vincent Omondi (MOFA), Aldrine Kibet (Celta Fortuna), Andreas Odhiambo (Enkopings Sk Sweden), Elly Owande (Migori Youth)FORWARDS Alfred Ratolo (KCB FC), Nicholas Omondi (Kariobangi Sharks), Bravin Makani (AFC Leopards), Austin Odongo (Shabana), Syphas Otieno (Nairobi Utd), Inistin Simiyu (Mara Sugar), Livingstone Ochieng (Gor Youth), Luis Ingavi (Shabana), Markvivian Khisa (Unattached), Quincy Mbugua (BFC Dynamo)