Junior Stars depart to Ethiopia for u-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers

Kenya’s Junior Stars travelled to Ethiopia Monday (today) for the u-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers, scheduled for 15 November to 2 December, in Ethiopia.

Junior Stars have been placed in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Rwanda. They will be fighting for one of the two available slots for the 2026 u-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

On Saturday head coach William Muluya announced his final 25-man squad for the tournament featuring a blend of of talented young players, most of whom were selected from school teams after impressing during regional scouting and training camps.

The ten-nation tournament will see the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. The semi-final winners will move on to the final, while the losers will compete for third place. The finalists will secure spots in the 2026 u-17 continental showpiece.

Muluya’s final squad includes goalkeepers Georgian Chris, Golan Oliech, and William Owino. The defence will be anchored by Cosmas Asunga, Eugene Ochieng, Nevil Simiyu, Stephen Ochieng, Edwin Annan, Raphael Omondi, Brighton Moses, Julius Ochieng, and Trevor Maluki.

In midfield, Derrick Mchiti, Wayne Wamaya, Derrick Khatete, Rayse Ochieng, Armstrong Omondi, Brighton Nacheri, and Denzel Omollo will provide creativity and control.

The forward line features Nicholas Onyango, Trevor Nasasiro, Nathan Achola, Collins Ochieng, Jeconia Agutu, and Marcos William, who will lead the team’s attack.

Muluya will be assisted by Peter Okidi and Kenedy Mbunga. Abdul Iddi Salim will handle the goalkeepers, while Eric Muranda oversees strength and conditioning. Stephen Mwangi serves as the kit manager, Andrew Ijela as the safeguarding officer, Edwin Gumbo as the team doctor, and Shaban Masika as the team manager.

Muluya’s charges will be keen to end the long wait back to the biennial African youth football tournament since last appearance in 2007.

Elsewhere, Uganda will now host the for the second year running, been selected to host the CAF African Schools Football CECAFA Zonal qualifiers 2025-2026 after the tournament was moved from Ethiopia.

CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde confirmed the changes to the venue and dates in a statement but did not provide reasons for the move.

The tournament originally scheduled to take place in Ethiopia from 15 November to 4 December will now be held in from 6-9 December.

“We are happy to announce that the regional qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone will now be hosted by Uganda from December 6-9, 2025,” said Sseninde.

“This is a very important competition to have the youngsters compete at the Zonal level for boys and girls. We thank Uganda for accepting to host the tournament.”

He added that alongside the competition, CAF will continue its capacity-building programs, including the Young Reporters, Young Referees, and Young Medical Officers initiatives, as well as the CAF D License Coaching Course and CAF Safeguarding workshops.

In 2024, Zanzibar hosted the second edition, where Tanzania took the boys’ title and South Africa won the girls’ trophy. This year, Ghana hosted the third edition, with Tanzania retaining the boys’ crown and the hosts defeating Uganda to claim the girls’ championship.