Situma urges FKF to focus on U20 teams with Afcon27 in mind

According to Situma, the Rising Stars current players will be prime for the continental showpiece that will jointly be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“The best progress is to come up with good structures to make sure that these U20s are engaged in friendly matches to keep them fit.

“Even if there are no international matches to play, FKF should call these players to camp as we also have them go through programs that will ensure they stick together”, said Situma.

The former AFC Leopards player also revealed that the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association was keen to collaborate with FKF for the AFCON 2027 Harambee Stars’ preparations 

“It’s something that as an organization (Kenya Footballers Welfare Association) by the way we come in to try our best and share with the federation in this. Most of these kids are 19 years old, meaning that between now and 2027 we will be having a larger group of players in their 20s and 21s.”

“This is a team that we should give maximum support and give it room to blend with the senior team to come up with a complete team ready to compete at any given level against the finest opponents on the continent and beyond in a few years to come”, he added.

October last year, Rising Stars lost 2-1 to hosts Tanzania in Cecafa U20 tournament which was also used as Afcon U20 qualifiers.

Both Kenya and Tanzania qualified after finishing as the best two.

For Situma, some of the players in the Rising Stars are expected to be promoted to the senior team Harambee Stars before the 2027 tournament.