Kenya Names Final U20 Squad for AFCON 2025 as Babu Eyes World Cup Berth

Kenya U 20 head coach Salim Babu's officially named his 25 man squad for the upcoming 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON set to kick off on 27 Apr in egypt, marking Kenya's debut appearance in the tournament under its current format.

The squad which was leaked on Sunday and later confirmed, features mix of local talents and select few foreign based players with Spain based defender Amos Wanjala & midfield prodigy Aldrine Kibet among the headline names.

Big Names Dropped

From the original 35 man provisional squad, several notable players were dropped, including:

• Luis Ingavi (Saginaw Valley State, USA)
• Zech Obiero (Leyton Orient, England)
• Jeremy Bissau (Brooke House College, England)
• Stanley Wilson (AIK, Sweden)
• Andreas Odhiambo (on trials in Norway)

Coach Babu emphasized his decision was based on "departmental necessity" & the need to build on the chemistry formed during the CECAFA qualifiers where Kenya secured qualification despite losing 2 - 1 to Tanzania in the final.

Kenya's 2025 AFCON U20 Final Squad

Goalkeepers:

• Kevin Oduor (Nairobi United)
• Wyclifford Oduor (Bidco United)
• Bernard Jairo (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders:

• Amos Wanjala (Athletic Club Torrellano, Spain)
• Collins Ochieng (AC Horsens, Denmark)
• Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka)
• Joseph Bate (MOFA FC)
• Humphrey Obina (Murang’a Seal)
• Jackson Imbiakha (ex-Mombasa Elite)
• Telena Ochieng (Ulinzi Stars)
• Manzu Okwaro (KCB FC)

Midfielders:

• Aldrine Kibet (Nastic Academy, Spain)
• Kevin Wangaya (Unattached)
• Emilio Brian (Ulinzi Stars)
• Irad Mshindi (ex-Musingu Scorpions captain)
• Mark Shaban (Gor Mahia)
• Humphrey Aroko (Kariobangi Sharks)
• Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards)

Forwards:

• Elly Owande (Al-Nasr SC, UAE)
• Hassan Beja (AFC Leopards)
• Ezekieh Omuri (Shabana FC)
• William Gitama (Bandari)
• Javan Omondi (Ulinzi Stars)
• Lawrence Ouma (MOFA FC)
• Oliver Machaka (Kakamega Homeboyz)

10 Day Training Camp in Morocco

The squad'll depart for Morocco on Wednesday for 10 day training camp before heading to egypt. This intensive phase is expected to sharpen the Rising Stars ahead of their group stage campaign.

“We’re Targeting the World Cup”, Coach Salim Babu

Coach Babu made the team's ambitions clear:

“Our goal's to reach the world cup and to do that, we must make it to the semifinals. I believe we've the quality to get there and we’re fully committed to achieving that dream”

With balanced squad and solid preparation, Kenya’s Rising Stars will look to make history and secure one of the 4 CAF spots for the FIFA U 20 World Cup 2025.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.