Nairobi City Stars pair Sven Yidah and Oliver Maloba, defensive and attacking midfielders, respectively, made the final cut to be a part of the Kenya U23 squad headed out to Ethiopia for the CECAFA U23 Championships to be played between July 17, and August 1, 2021.
The two have been shaping up with the squad regularly for the past three weeks under head coach Stanley Okumbi and were confirmed in the final squad that jetted out on Tuesday.
The Kenya U23 squad – dubbed the Emerging Stars – will face off against Djibouti and South Sudan in Group C.
Group A is comprised of defending Champions Uganda, Tanzania, and DR Congo, while Group B will have hosts Ethiopia, Burundi, and Eritrea.
Emerging Stars will have their first match of the tournament against Djibouti on Monday, July 19, 2021.
The top teams in each of the three groups will proceed to the tournament’s semi-finals, alongside one best runners up.
Kenya U23 squad
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)
Complete Fixtures
Uganda vs DR Congo (Sunday, July 18, 2021, Ethiopia)
Ethiopia vs Eritrea (Sunday, July 18, 2021, Ethiopia)
Djibouti vs Kenya (Monday, July 19, 2021, Ethiopia)
Burundi vs Eritrea (Wednesday, July 21, 2021, Ethiopia)
South Sudan vs Kenya (Thursday, July 22, 2021, Ethiopia)
Tanzania vs DR Congo (Thursday, July 22, 2021, Ethiopia)
Ethiopia vs Burundi (Saturday, July 24, 2021, Ethiopia)
Djibouti vs South Sudan (Sunday, July 25, 2021, Ethiopia)
Uganda vs Tanzania (Sunday, July 25, 2021, Ethiopia)
Semifinals
Winner Group A vs Best runner up (Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Ethiopia)
Winner Group B vs Winner Group C (Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Ethiopia)
Finals
Third place Playoff (Friday, July 30, 2021, Ethiopia)
Final (Friday, July 30, 2021, Ethiopia)