The 2023 Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) under-18 boys championships will kick off on Saturday in Kisumu with Kenya’s Rising Stars playing Sudan at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium from 12 pm.
Kenya has been placed in Group A alongside Somalia, Rwanda, Sudan and Djibouti and will face Sudan in their opening match.
Kenya’s coach Salim Babu named his squad that boasts of a blend of school team players and those that participate in various tournaments and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) run leagues in the country.
An FKF Premier League contingent of Kariobangi Sharks’ Stanley Wilson and Sigmunn Maina, Sofapaka’s Baron Ochieng, Ulinzi Star’s Lucas Maina and Kakamega Homeboyz’ Ibrahim Wanzala will add much needed experience.
FKF National Super League and Division One clubs Rainbow FC and MOFA also add experienced players to the squad. Notable names include Tyron Kariuki, Manzur Suleiman and Joseph Bate.
While USA-based Louis Ingavi and Nastic Sports Academy trio of Aldrine Kibet, Amos Wanjala and Alvin Kasavuli also make the squad.
Focus will be on Kibet who helped St Anthony’s Boys Kitale win the 2023 national title for a record extending sixth crown in Kakamega.
Group B consists of Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Sudan, Uganda.
All group A matches will be played in Kisumu while group B matches will be Kakamega based.
The winners of each group will face off against the runners up in the next round which will be the semi finals that will take place on December 5th in Kisumu.
