KSSSA stars primed for CECAFA Youth duty

Harambee Stars Under-20 head coach Stanley Okumbi has praised the quality of competition on show at the ongoing Kenya Secondary Nationals School Games in Eldoret.

Okumbi who is on a scouting mission at the annual schools event says he has already identified players whom he will invite to camp for the CECAFA Youth qualifiers set for next month.

The former Harambee Stars boss says he will expect the players to report to camp after the August 14-26 East African Games in Kigali, Rwanda.

“For sure we have talents in this games and I am very keen in every game to make sure I get the best players. So far I have identified some and this school games is helping our children to come to the limelight,” the former Kariobangi Sharks tactician told Citizen Digital.

Already, 10 countries have confirmed their participation for CECAFA qualifiers that will be held in Tanzania among them; Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti and the hosts.

Okumbi who was demoted from the senior team after flopping massively in his second stint as coach urged other coaches to move out of Nairobi because there is potent talents in the reserves.

“We should travel to our regions to get the talents because I have seen it,” added Okumbi.

Okumbi’s observation was also echoed by his volleyball counterpart Paul Gitau who is also in Eldoret to select team which will represent Kenya in the coming under -20 Youth Africa Volleyball championship to be held in Kasarani by the end of August.

Gitau also said the selected players will join other players in the camp after East Africa assignment before the team is trimmed to 12 players.

“Already I have six players in my paper and by Saturday I will be good to go. Talent is there especially from champions Kwanthanze and other schools ,” Gitau told Citizen Digital in an exclusive interview.

The current schools competition which entered day three on Thursday will end on Saturday with winners and runners up in various disciplines set to fly Kenya’s flag in Rwanda next month.