Coach Salim Babu has announced a 50-man provisional squad for the upcoming AFCON U17 CECAFA qualifiers, set to commence on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. This crucial tournament will see the young Kenyan stars compete for a spot in the continental championship.
Reporting and Departure Dates
The team will report to camp on Friday, November 29, 2024, as preparations intensify ahead of their departure to Uganda on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The tournament draw, which will reveal Kenya’s opponents, is scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 3 PM.
Coach Babu, who aims to secure a berth in the prestigious AFCON U17 tournament, will be assisted by Anthony Akhulia. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to developing grassroots talent and achieving international success, having led Kenya U20 to Afcon U20 qualification
The team comprises of locally based players and those based abroad the 2024 Safaricom Chapa Dimba Most Valuable Player Armstrong Omondi, Mali based duo of Edison Bwire and James Mulwa are part of the squad
Speaking on his call up Armstrong Omondi who is also part of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba squad that’s set to leave the country to Spain said “I’m really happy that I’ve made it to the country’s provisional squad, it’s been my dream since I started playing football and finally it’s here ,yeah I’m also aware that I’m set to join the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Best 11 but I’ll have to deliberate on that with my family and coaches to see which side I’ll choose but representing Kenya comes first before everything.”
Kenya U17 Provisional Squad for Afcon U17 qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Theo Mwangi (Ongata Senior), Maurice Agutu (St. Joseph Kitale), Dominic Munisa (Highway Secondary School), Golan Odiwuor (Kisumu), William Owino (Kakamega), Wayne Orata (Kariobangi Sharks),
Defenders: Cosmos Azunga (Ongata Senior), Mohammed Chama (Moi Forces Mombasa), Dennis Mutuku (Highway Secondary School), Egnesious Omondi (Kisumu), Silvanus Ondeko (Highway Secondary School), Ahmed Siraji (Githurai All Stars), Raphael Omondi (St. Mary’s Yala), Charles Wesonga (Green Commandos), Preston Macharia (Junda High School), Nuaym Nasib Farooq (Nastic Sports Academy), Fidel Castro (Kisumu), Glory Maina (Kakamega), Denzel Omollo (Oaks International), Jonathan Njenga (Ligi Ndogo), Rashid Ouma (Highway Secondary School), Derrick Wahome (Ligi Ndogo), Wilson Nyangwero (St, Joseph’s Kitale), Carlos Kadzenga (Riba Boys), Seth Dasilva Otieno (Highway Secondary School), Loune Mwangush (Mombasa), Alvin Midimo (Highway Secondary School), Roy Mutimba (Spire Academy, USA), Fidel Odhiambo (Kisumu), Preston Macharia (Junda High School) Nevil Simiyu (Kisumu), Fedinand Isaac (Kakamega), Wayne Obama (Kakamega)
Midfielders: Ramadhan Hamisi (Tononoka), Emmanuel Diaware (Nairobi Jaffreys), Alex Okoth Onyango (Our Lady of Fatima), Dismas Ongocho (Dagoretti High), Raymond Otieno (Brwon Hill), Alvin Masika (Kariobangi Sharks Youth), Ferdinand Mukamani, Edison Bwire Okwero (ABN Sports , Mali), James Nyamori (Nastic Sports Academy), James Mugo Ngari, James Mulwa Joseph (ABN Sports, Mali), Devin Charles (Kisumu), Harman Ochieng (Kisumu), Elvine Mubaka (Kakamega), Jumaa Mudzo (Mlaleo), Martin Mwangi Otieno (Mwatate High School), Kyle Ian (Eclavite), Amstrong Omondi (Alliance High School), Lulu Mukambi Wafukho (Jaffrey), Ryan Ehenzo (Highway Secondary School), Joshua Gegaga Wahome (Trinity School, UK), Lukande Mwale (Sad Huesca, Spain), Denis Kikwaye (Butere Boys High School), Lukonde Mwale (Nairobi International School), Tevine Oduor (Kisumu)
Forwards: Dante Echessah, Hassan Saleh Akhonga, Timothy Okumu (Highway Secondary School), Geoffrey Omwam (Ambira High School), Danson Maringa (New Mwangeza), Hassan Messi Wairimu (Kayole Twilight), Gibson Wafula (Highway Secondary School), Sadik Racho (Khadijah), Benny Nzimi (Miritini Complex), Fahim Bushura (Kakamega), Mesie Blair (Kisumu), Enock Mwagandi (Kisumu), Yuri Martin Herbert, Muhammed Kadzoka (Mombasa), Milton Mabea (Ligi Ndogo) , Joseph Onyango (St. Patricks), Allan Otieno (Kisumu), Tevine Oduor (Kisumu), Banaya Enock (Kakamega)
Road to AFCON U17
This tournament serves as the pathway to the AFCON U17 competition, where only the top two teams from the CECAFA region will earn qualification. With a blend of local and international talent, the Kenyan squad reflects a strong foundation for future success.