Kenya drawn against Somalia in U17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers

Kenya has been placed in Group B of the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers. The draw, conducted on Thursday 28 November, places Kenya in a challenging group that includes defending champions Somalia, 2022 finalists South Sudan, and Sudan.

The tournament will be held in Uganda from 14-27 December, with matches taking place at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo and St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende. All eight teams will compete in a round-robin format during the group stage. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, with finalists earning qualification for the 2025 U17 AFCON.

Group A features hosts Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Burundi.

The Kenyan team, led by coach Salim Babu, has already named a provisional squad, with the final list expected by 2 December. Babu will be joined by Antony Akhulia from Bidco FC and goalkeeper coach Samwel Koko.

The squad includes players from various schools and youth academies across the country. Key preparations will focus on team chemistry and strategies to overcome strong opponents.

This year’s competition will introduce Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests to verify players’ ages before traveling to Uganda, a move aimed at curbing age-cheating.

Kenya’s U17 side faces a tough test in the qualifiers but will look to secure one of the two available spots for the 2025 U17 AFCON finals.

Kenya U17 Provisional Squad 

Provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Theo Mwangi (Ongata Senior), Maurice Agutu (St. Joseph Kitale), Dominic Munisa (Highway Secondary School), Golan Odiwuor (Kisumu), William Owino (Kakamega), Wayne Orata (Kariobangi Sharks).

Defenders: Cosmos Azunga (Ongata Senior), Mohammed Chama (Moi Forces Mombasa), Dennis Mutuku (Highway Secondary School), Egnesious Omondi (Kisumu), Silvanus Ondeko (Highway Secondary School), Ahmed Siraji (Githurai All Stars), Raphael Omondi (St. Mary’s Yala), Charles Wesonga (Green Commandos), Preston Macharia (Junda High School), Nuaym Nasib Farooq (Nastic Sports Academy), Fidel Castro (Kisumu), Glory Maina (Kakamega), Denzel Omollo (Oaks International), Jonathan Njenga (Ligi Ndogo), Rashid Ouma (Highway Secondary School), Derrick Wahome (Ligi Ndogo), Wilson Nyangwero (St, Joseph’s Kitale), Carlos Kadzenga (Riba Boys), Seth Dasilva Otieno (Highway Secondary School), Loune Mwangush (Mombasa), Alvin Midimo (Highway Secondary School), Roy Mutimba (Spire Academy, USA), Fidel Odhiambo (Kisumu), Preston Macharia (Junda High School) Nevil Simiyu (Kisumu), Fedinand Isaac (Kakamega), Wayne Obama (Kakamega)

Midfielders: Ramadhan Hamisi (Tononoka), Emmanuel Diaware (Nairobi Jaffreys), Alex Okoth Onyango (Our Lady of Fatima), Dismas Ongocho (Dagoretti High), Raymond Otieno (Brwon Hill), Alvin Masika (Kariobangi Sharks Youth), Ferdinand Mukamani, Edison Bwire Okwero (ABN Sports , Mali), James Nyamori (Nastic Sports Academy), James Mugo Ngari, James Mulwa Joseph (ABN Sports, Mali), Devin Charles (Kisumu), Harman Ochieng (Kisumu), Elvine Mubaka (Kakamega), Jumaa Mudzo (Mlaleo), Martin Mwangi Otieno (Mwatate High School), Kyle Ian (Eclavite), Amstrong Omondi (Alliance High School), Lulu Mukambi Wafukho (Jaffrey), Ryan Ehenzo (Highway Secondary School), Joshua Gegaga Wahome (Trinity School, UK), Lukande Mwale (Sad Huesca, Spain), Denis Kikwaye (Butere Boys High School), Lukonde Mwale (Nairobi International School), Tevine Oduor (Kisumu)

Forwards: Dante Echessah, Hassan Saleh Akhonga, Timothy Okumu (Highway Secondary School), Geoffrey Omwam (Ambira High School), Danson Maringa (New Mwangeza), Hassan Messi Wairimu (Kayole Twilight), Gibson Wafula (Highway Secondary School), Sadik Racho (Khadijah), Benny Nzimi (Miritini Complex), Fahim Bushura (Kakamega), Mesie Blair (Kisumu), Enock Mwagandi (Kisumu), Yuri Martin Herbert, Muhammed Kadzoka (Mombasa), Milton Mabea (Ligi Ndogo) , Joseph Onyango (St. Patricks), Allan Otieno (Kisumu), Tevine Oduor (Kisumu), Banaya Enock (Kakamega.)