Aldrine Kibet stars for Celta Vigo against Real Betis in Spain
By Joel Masibo, March 12, 2026Kenya U20 sensation Aldrine Kibet scored a brace as Celta Vigo’s youth team’s Copa del Rey run came to an end after a 3-2 defeat to Real Betis in the semi-finals at the Anxo Carro stadium on Wednesday night, March 11, 2026.
Kibet impresses
The team, managed by Alberto Suárez, fell just short of the final in a hard-fought match despite Kibet’s efforts, where they displayed character and ambition until the very end.
Beyond the result, Aldrine Kibet and Celta Vigo’s journey in this edition of the Cup has left a great feeling within the club. Reaching the semifinals confirms the talent of a generation that has competed at the highest level and has had an outstanding performance in the tournament.
Despite failing to advance to the finals, the club extended gratitude to the fans for their support.
”The club wishes to convey a message of pride to the players and coaching staff for all they have achieved, as well as gratitude to the Celta Vigo fans for their unwavering support throughout the competition. The youth team bids farewell just short of the final but does so with the satisfaction of a job well done that strengthens the present and future of the Celta Vigo youth academy,” the statement read in part.
National team
Meanwhile, Aldrine Kibet’s impact at Celta is keeping his hopes of cementing his position at the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars, intact.
His stellar performance in Spain comes at a moment when Football Kenya Federation Vice President McDonald Mariga and Harambee Stars head coach Beni McCarthy are leading an FKF delegation in Europe, keeping tabs on eligible national team players plying their trade abroad.
While the technical bench has recorded encouraging results with locally based footballers, there is a growing consensus that the squad requires additional depth and experience to compete effectively against Africa’s top sides.
With Kenya preparing to host the 2027 AFCON, FKF’s efforts to recruit diaspora players, including Aldrine Kibet, are seen as a strategic move to strengthen Harambee Stars and assemble a more competitive squad capable of challenging Africa’s top football nations.