Amos Nondi named to Kenya U20 squad
Amos Nondi is the only player affiliated with Gor Mahia who was named to the Kenya U20 team that is preparing for friendly matches against Cameroon. Nondi is a member of the senior squad and is the only player who has transitioned successfully from the Gor Mahia U19 squad to the senior squad. None of the current Gor Mahia U19 players made the national team.
Other prominent players named include Ovella Ochieng of Kariobangi Sharks who played for the Harambee stars senior team against Guinea Bissau. There are players from Kenyan Premier League junior sides including AFC Leopards’ Edwin Mukolwe, Anthony Wambani of Bandari, Jaffery Owiti from Chemelil Sugar and Thika United defender Collins Odhiambo.
Three players from last year’s Secondary School Games football champions Passenga, and one each from former champions Kakamega High School and Laiser Hill also made the junior team. The player from Laiser Hill is Musa Masika, a younger brother to Belgium based Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe Masika.
Coach John Kamau said that the friendly matches will be part of Kenya’s early preparations to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
“We want to play as many games as possible so that we can nurture these players ahead of the 2019 Africa Under-20 qualifiers as well as the World Cup. The first step was to identify good players whom we would work with and that is now done. We have a good squad and what remains now is to keep them engaged so that they can grow in their careers,” he said.
Gor Mahia has typically contributed more players to junior teams due to the tradition of giving young players a chance. Even more shocking however is that Mathare United, typically a bulwark of youth football has only one player. On the other hand, Thika United, a club known for giving young players opportunities, has contributed three players.
Over-age Players
The Kenyan youngsters were kicked out of the 2017 CAF Under-20 competition for fielding five overage players during their first round of qualifiers against Sudan in April this year. And in this squad, there are already questions regarding the age of some of the players.
The Kenyan lads lost 3-1 to South Africa at the Tsakane Stadium in East Rand last Saturday in another friendly match.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Ahmed Musa (Bandari Youth), Edwin Mukolwe (AFC Leopards), George Ochieng (Gituru Secondary), Job Ochieng (Mathare Youth).
Midfielders:
Collins Odhiambo (Thika United), Ezekiel Nyati (Passenga), Prince Boit (Ligi Ndogo), Maingi Muthoka (Kilifi), Baraka Badi (Thika United), Samuel Semo (Korogocho), David Owino (Laiser Hill), Bernard Ouma (Our lady of Fatuma), Anthony Wambani, John Njuguna (Passenga), Teddy Osok (Nairobi Stima), Vincent Wasambo (Kariobangi Sharks), Amos Nondi (Gor Mahia), John Macharia (Kariobangi Sharks), James Kinyanjui (Passenga), Abdallah Ahmed, Chris Owino (Annointed school), Samuel Murunga.
Forwards:
James Mazembe (Kakamega High School), Francis Kinyua (Thika Youth), Ovella Ocheing (Kariobangi Sharks), Masika Musa (Laiser Hill), Peter Kamau (Acakoro), Jaffery Owiti (Chemelil Sugar).
Kamau, you must be a clueless coach by leaving out Barding players. Shame on you.
Maybe Barding players are already in their 20s.