Selebwa names final Rising Stars squad for U20 Afcon qualifiers

Kenya Under 20 head coach Gilbert Selebwa has named his final squad for the Under 20 CECAFA AFCON Qualifiers in Tanzania, settling on the group of players who will do duty for Kenya in the race for a ticket to the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Rising Stars kick off their campaign on September 7 against Burundi, with kick off set for 8PM, before facing South Sudan on September 19 at 2PM with both fixtures taking place at Uhuru Stadium in Tanzania.

The headline story in Selebwa's final squad for the continental showpiece is the tactical inclusion of a foreign-based contingent operating across Europe.

Midfielders Yusuf Ahmed of Utsikten BK in Sweden and Quincy Waithanji of BFC Dynamo in Germany, alongside forwards Keylah Mauko of CF Reus Deportiu and Seedoph Zgoll playing for Dereham FC, bring crucial European match tempo to bolster Kenya’s regional campaign as the young lads seek to book a ticket to Ghana.

Complementing the overseas talent is a clear demonstration of Kenya's football development pipeline. Seven players, including Raphael Omondi, Eugine Belety, Trevor Nasasiro, Yusuf Ahmed, Armstrong Omondi, Brighton Nacheri and Julius Ochieng have made the direct step up from last year's U17 national team.

To anchor this young core, returning U20 veterans Bernard Jairo and Telena Ochieng bring vital tournament experience from the previous AFCON campaign.

Full Rising Stars squad

Goalkeepers

• Wayne Orata (Kariobangi Sharks)

• Benard Jairo (Nairobi United)

• Theodore Mwangi (Ongata Academy)

Defenders

• Raphael Omondi (Kariobangi Sharks)

• Eugine Belet (Kakamega School)

• Telena Ochieng (Tusker FC)

• Charles Auma (FC Talanta)

• Edwin Jumba (Shabana FC)

• Rodgers Wasega (Posta Rangers)

• Stephen Ouma (St. Mary's, Yala)

Midfielders

• Nasasiro Trevor (St. Anthony, Kitale)

• Hamvin Okoth (Migori Youth FC)

• Yusuf Ahmed (Utsikten BK, Sweden)

• Armstrong Omondi (Kariobangi Sharks)

• Churchill Ombuor (Migori Youth FC)

• Brighton Nacheri (Kakamega School)

• Allan Otieno (Migori Youth FC)

• Abdirizak Nurie (Berlin FC)

• Quincy Waithanji (BFC Dynamo, Germany)

Forwards

• Bravin 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)