Junior Stars leave for Cecafa U20 tourney

Kenya's Under-20 football team coach Stanley Okumbi has named a strong 20-man squad for the Cecafa Under 20 Championship set to be held in Uganda from September 21 to October 5.

The Junior Stars are in Group B alongside Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Tanzania while Uganda, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti make up Group A. Burundi, South Sudan, and Somalia are in Group C. The top three teams from Group A and B will join the top two from Group C in the quarterfinals.

Okumbi is optimistic the team will do well in the tournament.

"We are in a tough group but I think the tougher the group the better the challenge. With the quality of players we have in the team, I don’t think we have an excuse of not getting positive results. I have challenged my players that this is their chance of showcasing what they can do and I am confident we will do well," Okumbi said.

The team left by bus to Uganda on Wednesday evening. Among those dropped from the final squad are Kenya Police striker Abraham Dawo, Nairobi Stima midfielder Alvin Mangeni, and Ligi Ndogo's Enock Wanyama.

Kenya kick off their campaign against Zanzibar on Sunday in Jinja.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), Bixente Otieno (Wazito)

Defenders: Alphonce Otieno (Gor Mahia), Alvin Ochieng (Kisumu All-Stars), Brian Wepo (Nzoia Sugar), Boniface Mwangemi (Dagoretti High School), John Otieno (Kakamega Homeboyz), Tom Teka (Kariobangi Sharks)

Midfielders: Joshua Nyatini (Wazito), Fidel Origa (Western Stima), Musa Masika (Wazito), John Njuguna (Ulinzi Stars), Peter Oudo (Kariobangi Sharks), Austin Ochieng (AFC Leopards), Steve Otieno (Kisumu All-Stars), Chris Owino (FC Talanta)

Forwards: Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Benson Omala (Western Stima), Ronald Shichenje (Aspire Academy), Patrick Otieno (Kariobangi Sharks)