Sky the limit for fast-rising Under-20 player Kengwa

Fast-rising Oscar Kengwa hopes to infuse a winning mentality into Kenya Under-20 football team after being called up to the squad. 

The Islamic Law student at Raf International University in Kajiado County, has been named in the provisional team by Football Kenya Federation’s technical director Andreas Piers, having been scouted while featuring for Al-Ahly Sportiff at the ongoing Chapa Dimba na Safaricom football tournament in Kajiado County.

This six-month long football competition, which continues this weekend, aims to identify and nurture promising talents from the grassroots.

Piers and his assistant Mike Amenga were seemingly impressed by Kengwa’s exploits, even as the right footed attacker scored seven times in four games at the Kajiado County finals.

The 19-year-old’s goals came against Olekajiado Youth, Mwangaza FC, OL-Kalou FC and Bisan United, efforts that have also landed him a trial at SportPesa Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks. 

“I still have a lot to do, I need to work harder and use my left foot more, that’s what the coaches told me,” the Orok High School alumnus explained.

“For now, I want to score goals for the national team and help them win matches. The team has not won games of late.”

Kenya’s U20 side was eliminated from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations-cum-World Cup qualifiers in the opening round last year despite drawing 1-1 away to Sudan in the opening phase. 

Kengwa is also targeting an opportunity to play in the top flight football league next year. 

Despite his team having faced elimination at the County stage of the tournament by Nakuru All Stars youth team in the final, Kengwa also hopes to be among the lucky few players who will be selected to travel to England to meet and train alongside Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama in March next year.