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Rising Stars coach Salim Babu has given the reasons why Spain-based Aldrine Kibet and Amos Wanjala as well as US-based Louis Ingavi will not feature at Four Nations tournament.
Kenya U20 will be without three of their star players during the Four Nations tournament in Malawi with Spain-based duo Aldrine Kibet and Amos Wanjala as well as forward Louis Ingavi, who is based in the United States, missing out.
The three had been named in coach Salim Babu’s provisional squad but the tactician has revealed that they will now not make it, which to him is an opportunity to test other talents at his disposal.
“They are out and we also have other players whom we want to give chances,” Babu told the media during a training session on Monday. “Those three are already known. Having featured in Kisumu (2023 CECAFA U18 tournament), everyone knows how they play.”
Attacking midfielder Kibet and defender Wanjala both train at Spain’s Nastic Sports Academy while striker Ingavi is honing his skills at Florida-based Montvarde Academy.
Of the three, Wanjala was certain to miss the tournament after the Tarragona-based academy requested to have him for some crucial matches but Kibet and Ingavi were expected to link up with the squad and add quality to Babu’s team.
“There is another group coming through and if they can be exposed, then it will be easy to move as a team. Kenya has many young players and I think in 2027, everything will be okay,” added Babu.
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14:00 - 18.03.2024
FOOTBALL Update: Kenya U20 to face Zimbabwe in opening match of Four Nations Tourney as Zambia withdraw
Rising Stars will now be playing Zimbabwe in their first match on Friday and not Malawi as initally scheduled following Zambia's withdrawal.
Babu nonetheless has been boosted by the arrival of Stanley Wilson, who has been on trials at AIK in Sweden, and James Gachago of St Andrew’s United in Scotland and believes his charges are ready to win the crown after having good preparations.
“Our target is to win those two games because it was the semi-final and final, now it is a round robin format,” said Babu.
“As a technical bench, we had a conversation with the players and we believe everything is right because this is a team we have had from the U18.
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08:07 - 18.03.2024
FOOTBALL Four Nations Tournament: Kenya U20 coach oozes confidence but wary of ‘physical’ opponents
Kenya U20 coach Salim Babu feels his team can secure the Four Nations tournament title but expects a very physical encounter in Malawi.
“We have had nearly three weeks in Kisumu and another week in Nairobi so I think we are ready based on how we have trained.”
Kenya is counting on the Rising Stars to lead them to success at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania, and there is hope that the youngsters will form a formidable side.
Rising Stars will now take on Zimbabwe on Friday after Zambia U20 withdrew from the tournament which will now be played in a round robin format with hosts Malawi the other team set to feature.
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