Kenya’s Emerging Stars will face off with South Sudan and Djibouti in Pool C of the CECAFA Challenge Cup after the draw was conducted on Tuesday evening. The tournament kicks off in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia on Sunday with Kenya opening up its campaign against Djibouti the following day.

Pool A will be the tournament’s group of death as it includes defending champions Uganda, Tanzania and invitational side DR Congo while hosts Ethiopia, Burundi and Eritrea will make up Pool B.

Zanzibar, Rwanda and Sudan did not send teams to the competition which will be coiled into an Under-23 tournament this year.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Emerging Stars will be out to ensure they pick up the trophy after finishing third in the last edition in 2019.

Head coach Stanley Okumbi has named his final squad for the tournament with Wazito’s Bernard Ochieng, Tusker’s Boniface Muchiri and Kakamega Homeboyz’s David Odhiambo named as the three allowed overage players.

The team will be skippered by Ochieng.

Emerging Stars skipper Bernard Ochieng during a past training session

“At least we have 80pc of the players that we intended to have and we thank the clubs for allowing us to have some of their key players who will also be our key players. We have selected the strongest squad that we possibly could,” said coach Stanley Okumbi.

Among the players who have made the final list include Tusker FC goal poacher Henry Meja, Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala and defensive kingpin Frank Odhiambo.

KCB’s Reagan Otieno and Vincent Wasambo have also made the squad with Kisumu All Stars’Alfred Tanui the only player from the second division.

Okumbi says he is confident the team has what it takes to perform well at the tournament and ensure the trophy comes home.

“We have a very flexible squad in terms of attacking and defending. We have been working on our tactical shapes mostly because in terms of fitness the players are okay as they have been playing week in week out at their clubs,”

Oliver Maloba goes past Austin Odhiambo during a training session

“We know it us going to be a very tough tournament but we are ready to face anyone. According to the quality we have in the team we don’t have an excuse not to perform and we have to go out and do well for the country,” coach Stanley Okumbi said.

His sentiments were echoed by skipper Ochieng who said; “We have trained very well and we are looking forward to the tournament. We aim to go and do well and the most important thing for us is to work as a team and give our best.”

Kenya squad for CECAFA U23

Goalkeepers

Caleb Omondi (Gor Mahia),  Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders

Sylvester Owino (Kakamega Homeboyz), Bernard Ochieng (Wazito FC), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Maha), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Bonface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Wepo (KCB FC).

Midfielders

Yidah Sven (Nairobi City Stars), Marvin Nabwire (AFC Leopards), Vincent Wasambo (KCB FC), Austine Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Regean Otieno (KCB FC), Oliver Maloba (Nairobi City Stars), Josphat Lopaga (Posta Rangers), Steiner Musasia (Posta Rangers), John Njuguna (Ulinzi Stars), Boniface Muchiri (Tusker FC), David Odhiambo (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Forwards

Benson Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Henry Atola (Tusker), Alfred Tanui (Kisumu All Stars)