Kimanzi confident of Stars good show

The Kenya Under -23 national team coach Francis Kimanzi has expressed optimism that the Emerging Stars will give a good account of themselves when they face Sudan in the Africa U23 Cup of Nations cum Olympics qualifier.

The team jetted out to Khartoum on Sunday ahead of the first leg to be played on Wednesday with the second leg set to be played next week on Tuesday at Kasarani.

To get to this stage, Kenya made light work of Mauritius in the first round, winning 5-0 in the first leg played in Nairobi before overpowering their opponents 3-1 in the reverse fixture for an 8-1 aggregate.

The Emerging Stars won 5-0 in the first leg played in Nairobi before over powering their opponents 1-3 in the second leg going through with an 8-1 aggregate.

“We did well against Mauritius and it’s good that we have retained a big part of that squad. The boys are motivated and I am confident we’ll get a positive result,” Kimanzi told Football Kenya Federation website.

The winner on aggregate will face either of Nigeria or Libya in the third round to determine who graces the 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt, which will act as a qualifier to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan.

Traveling Squad include.

Goalkeepers

Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders

Mike Kibwage (KCB), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United), David Owino (Mathare United), Yusuf Mainge (AFC Leopards), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA), Boniface Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Moses Mudavadi (Bandari)

Midfielders

Teddy Osok (Wazito), Tobias Otieno (Sony Sugar), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Alwyn Tera (FC Saburtalo, Georgia), Peter Thiongo (Kakamega Homeboyz), Curtis Wekesa (Nairobi Stima), Sven Yidah (Kariobangi Sharks)

Forwards

Boniface Mukhekhe (Mt Kenya United), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund FC, Sweden), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), John Avire (Sofapaka)