Mozzart Sport journalist and AFC Leopards performance analyst Josh Angatia has earned a place on the Kenya U23 national team technical bench after being appointed as the Emerging Stars’ performance analyst.Angatia joins head coach Anthony Kimani and his technical team as Kenya begins its campaign in the first round of the 2027 Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsHis role will involve providing technical and performance analysis to the team and head coach, helping the technical bench prepare for the two-legged qualifier and assess the team’s performances.AFC Leopards confirmed Angatia’s appointment in a congratulatory message.“Our Performance Analyst Josh Angatia has been called up to the Kenya U-23 National Team technical bench in the same role for the upcoming first round AFCON Qualifier match against Tanzania,” the club wrote.For Angatia, the appointment represents another step in a journey that began far from the professional football environment.FKF boss appeals to Chief Justice as fresh legal hurdle delays 2026-2027 season kick offUnlike many analysts who come through playing careers, Angatia’s relationship with football began through a comic book.His fascination with the game started with Super Strikers, a popular football comic series that introduced him to the sport and sparked a passion that would eventually develop into a career.His older brother later broadened his football world by introducing him to European football. Angatia immersed himself in the game, with collecting football stickers becoming one of the ways through which he followed players, clubs and competitions.That interest gradually evolved into a deeper understanding of the game and, eventually, an ambition to work within football.##NAJAVA_MECA_9978144##His analysis journey began at Cheza Sports Academy before he moved to South B All Stars. He later joined Ulinzi Stars, where he spent about six months as an intern.The internship gave him an opportunity to begin understanding the professional environment and the work that goes on behind the scenes in football.His next opportunity came at Kariobangi Sharks, where coach William Muluya took him under his wing. Angatia spent approximately nine months at the club before AFC Leopards came calling.He joined the 12-time Kenyan champions and continued developing his expertise in performance analysis, eventually becoming an integral part of the club's technical setup.His work at AFC Leopards has now earned him recognition at national-team level.Taiwo Atieno announces return to professional football at 41The appointment comes at an important stage for the Emerging Stars, who will host Tanzania in the first leg at Nyayo Stadium on Monday, 28 September, before travelling for the return leg on Tuesday, 6 October.Kenya will be seeking a positive home result before the decisive second leg as the team begins its pursuit of a place at the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.The tournament will also form part of Africa's qualification pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.Egypt have already secured an automatic place at the U23 AFCON finals as hosts, with seven other nations set to qualify through the continental qualification process.Should Kenya overcome Tanzania, the Emerging Stars will face Côte d’Ivoire in the second qualifying round. The second-round first and second legs are scheduled for November 9 and 17, respectively.Harambee Stars midfielder makes return from lengthy injury in SwedenKimani's squad largely draws from the Kenya U20 team that competed at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, giving the Emerging Stars a group of players with recent continental experience.Among those retained from that squad are Kenya Police goalkeeper Kevin Oduor, Jackson Imbiakha, Tusker defender Collins Ochieng, Shabana's Humphrey Obina, Nairobi United midfielder Kevin Wangaya and AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada.The squad also features Celta Vigo's Aldrine Kibet, Irad Mshindi, Andreas Odhiambo and Humphrey Aroko, Migori Youth forward Elly Owande, Bandari's Lawrence Okoth and Kenya Police's Oliver Machaka.Other notable names include ADO Den Haag goalkeeper Caleb Kramer, Jack Onganya of Cadiz, Brooklyn Kazungu of MK Dons, Paul Osama of Enköpings SK, Emmanuel Osoro of Power Dynamos and former Kakamega Homeboyz attacker Henry Omollo, who now plays for Mufulira Wanderers.Inside Aboud's Ksh4million demand that saw him ditch PoliceMadada, Machaka and Aroko bring further experience from the U20 campaign in Egypt, having featured in the final squad.The Emerging Stars technical bench is headed by Kimani, with Osborne Monday serving as assistant coach. Duncan Ochieng is the goalkeepers coach, while Kevin Kimani handles strength and conditioning.