KCB’s centre half Michael Kibwage is among 18-man final squad named in the national Under-23 team ahead of the Africa Olympics qualifiers against Mauritius.
The 18 players were selected from the initial 57, who were invited earlier for two training sessions by head coach Francis Kimanzi and overseen by Harambee Stars head coach Sebastien Migne.
Kibwage, who joined the bankers from AFC Leopards last week, headlines the final squad as he is set to make his second appearance with the team after debuting in March when Kenya played Uzbekistan in a two-legged friendly. He also made it to the national team which played in the Hero International Cup in India in May and he was joined in the final team by Pistone Mutamba of Sofapaka, Ulinzi Stars custodian Timothy Odhiambo, KCB’s Chrispinus Onyango and the Mathare United duo of Johnstone Omurwa and David Owino, who are all making their second appearance in the team.
Kimanzi said the selection exercise was tough, owing to the hard to ignore talents displayed by the 57 players summoned but with the help of the senior team coach Migne,18 players made it to the cut. “It was quite challenging because we had quality players in each and every position, but alongside my technical bench as well as Harambee Stars coach (Sébastien Migné) and his assistant (Nicolas Borriquet-Cor), we have come up with 18 players who will hit camp next week.”
The18 players are set to take part in a two-day open session before hitting residential camp on Friday in Nairobi, ahead of the first leg. Four foreign-based players are also expected to link up with the team later in camp.
The Emerging Stars will start off at home on November 14 at Kasarani before jetting out to Mauritius for the reverse tie set to be played on November 18.
The winner of the tie on aggregate will proceed to the second round, with a third round also in line. The final tourney, set to be played in November 2019, in Egypt, will act as a qualifier to the 2020 Olympics
Emerging Stars squad—Goalkeepers: Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi), Brian Bwire (Sharks); Defenders: Mike Kibwage (KCB), Lennox Ogutu (Mathare), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare), David Owino (Mathare), Harun Mwale (Ulinzi), Yussuf Mainge (Leopards); Midfielders: Teddy Osok (Sofapaka), Tobias Otieno (Sony), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi), Abdallah Ahmed (Mathare), Chrispinus Onyango (KCB), James Mazembe (Sharks); Forwards:
Boniface Mukhekhe (Nakumatt), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks) and Jaffari Owiti (Leopards).