Salim Babu names Kenya's U-17 provisional squad with overseas talent in the mix

Kenya's U-17 national team head coach Salim Babu has named his provisional squad for the upcoming AFCON U-17 CECAFA qualifiers, set to kick off on December 14 in Kampala, Uganda.

The squad features a mix of local talent and overseas-based players, signaling Kenya’s intent to secure a spot in the continental tournament.

The team reported to the camp on November 29 for intensive preparations before traveling to Uganda on Tuesday, December 10.

Nine teams will compete in the CECAFA qualifiers, including hosts Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania.

The top two teams from the qualifiers will represent the CECAFA region in the prestigious U-17 AFCON tournament.

Anthony Akhulia will assist Salim Babu in guiding the team to qualification.

The duo has expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to perform, blending youth and experience for a competitive edge.

The squad features five notable overseas-based players: Roy Mutimba (Spire Academy, USA), James Nyamori (Nastic Sports Academy), Lukande Mwale (Sad Huesca, Spain), Joshua Gegaga Wahome (Trinity School, UK), and James Mulwa Joseph (ABN Sports, Mali).

All teams are expected to arrive in Uganda by December 9, 2024, to undergo mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests to verify age eligibility.

Kenya faces a challenging task as they aim to better their performance in the qualifiers, inspired by Somalia’s stunning 3-1 victory over South Sudan in the 2022 final.

The AFCON U-17 CECAFA qualifiers promise intense competition as the region’s finest young talents battle for the coveted tickets to the final tournament.

Provisional Squad

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)

For Mila Pulse Sport

~ DAN ~