Shabana’s Austin Odongo in as Selebwa names provisional Rising Stars squad for CECAFA U20 qualifiers

Shabana FC’s prodigy Austin Odongo has received the nod as Rising Stars head coach Gilbert Selebwa has announced a provisional squad as Kenya begins preparations for the upcoming CECAFA U20 AFCON qualifiers in Tanzania.

The regional competition is scheduled to take place from September 16 to 30,2026, with the two teams that reach the final securing qualification to represent the CECAFA region at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

For Kenya’s emerging talents, the tournament provides an important opportunity to compete at regional level and push for a place on the continental stage.

Selebwa’s preliminary selection features players drawn from various Kenyan clubs, academies and schools, alongside a small number of youngsters currently playing outside the country.

The school-based players will join the programme at a later stage after the coaching staff completes the initial assessment and selection of players from clubs.

The club contingent is expected to report to the Mashuuru Sports Complex on Friday, where preparations for the qualifiers will officially begin. Selebwa will work alongside assistants Dunstan Nyaudo and Musa Otieno.

Provisional Rising Stars squad

Goalkeepers

Arnold Shivachi — KCB FC

Boaz Muchiri — Mathare United

Rovin Odhiambo — Luanda Villa

Phillip Omollo — Vickers

Defenders

Elisha Nalianya — Kakamega Homeboyz

Bilal Otieno — Mathare United

Franklyn Omollo — Kariobangi Sharks

Daniel Ogalo — AFC Leopards

Telena Ochieng — Tusker FC

Kevin Musambai — Ulinzi Stars

Baraka Rodgers — Bandari

Suale Juma — Bandari

Swale Abu — Ksharks

Micheal Eshirama — Samitsi FC

Amos Wanjala — Valencia Academy

Collins Ochieng — Tusker FC

Jermaine Msine — Cryuff Academy

Midfielders

Zinedine Wesonga — Kakamega Homeboyz

Adrian Oloo — Ulinzi Stars

Paul Kinyanjui — KCB FC

Emmanuel Aduga — Shabana Youth

Rafael Omondi — Kariobangi Sharks

Martins Odiero — Mombasa Elite

Steward Armstrong — Kariobangi Sharks

Hashim Munyendo — AFC Leopards

Iddi Wesonga — AFC Leopards

Glen Yannick Kariuki — 3K FC

Erastus Erute — Bandari

Eugene Barasa — Homeboyz

Ashraf Thaire — Mombasa United

Moses Mulekano — Naivas

Collins Mwalati — Bandari

Suleiman Kalema — Bandari Youth

Ramadhan Hamisi — Mombasa United

Khamis Mohammed — Mombasa United

Collins Okello — Unattached

Sweden Collins Mboya — Naivas

Sammy Indonyi — Luanda Villa

Derrick Owino — Spitfire

Lemmy Menza — Mombasa United

Meloy Odhiambo — Ksharks

Jabes Otieno — Gor Youth

Wayne Moya — Gor Youth

Lee Njiru — Gor Youth

Michael Owen — Murang’a Seal

Churchill Otieno — Migori Youth

Humphrey Okoth — Migori Youth

Morgan Onyango — Migori Youth

Vincent Omondi — MOFA

Aldrine Kibet — Celta Fortuna

Andreas Odhiambo — Enkopings SK Sweden

Elly Owande — Migori Youth

Forwards

Alfred Ratolo — KCB FC

Nicholas Omondi — Kariobangi Sharks

Bravin Makani — AFC Leopards

Austin Odongo — Shabana

Syphas Otieno — Nairobi United

Inistin Simiyu — Mara Sugar

Livingstone Ochieng — Gor Youth

Luis Ingavi — Shabana

Markvivian Khisa — Unattached

Quincy Mbugua — BFC Dynamo

With the opening of camp approaching, Selebwa and his technical team will now focus on identifying the final group that will travel to Tanzania for the regional qualifiers.