Coach Salim Babu Names Provisional Squad for U-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers

Kenya’s U-17 national team coach, Salim Babu, has revealed his provisional squad for the highly anticipated AFCON U-17 CECAFA qualifiers set to kick off on Saturday, December 14, in Kampala, Uganda.

With eyes firmly set on securing a spot in the continental showpiece, Coach Babu has assembled a robust team featuring young talent from across the country and beyond.

The squad is scheduled to report to camp this Friday to begin final preparations before departing for Uganda on Tuesday, December 10. The draw for the tournament, which will host nine teams, including Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania, is slated for Thursday, December 5, at 3 PM.

Babu, a seasoned tactician, will be supported by assistant coach Anthony Akhulia in leading the team’s charge toward success. Speaking ahead of the qualifiers, Coach Babu expressed confidence in his team, saying, “We’ve assembled a talented group of players who are hungry to represent Kenya and make history. The focus now is to fine-tune our game plan and ensure the boys are ready for the challenge.”

The provisional squad showcases a perfect blend of experience and youthful exuberance, with players drawn from local schools, clubs, and international academies. Here’s a breakdown of the roster:

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)

This year’s qualifiers come with heightened expectations for Kenya, with the country aiming to secure a coveted spot in the continental competition. The inclusion of internationally trained players, such as Joshua Wahome (Trinity School, UK) and Lukonde Mwale (Nairobi International School), signals Kenya’s intent to bring a fresh approach to the game.

Road to the Tournament

The CECAFA qualifiers offer a platform for East and Central African nations to battle it out for a place in the AFCON U-17 tournament. Kenya will look to overcome fierce rivals like hosts Uganda and regional powerhouses Tanzania and Ethiopia.

The team’s preparations are already in high gear, with Coach Babu emphasizing the importance of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. “We want to use this opportunity to build a formidable team not just for this tournament but for the future of Kenyan football,” he stated.

As the young stars prepare to don the national colors, the nation watches with anticipation. With a talented squad, an experienced technical bench, and a renewed focus on youth development, Kenya’s U-17 team is poised to shine in Kampala and beyond.