Nairobi, Kenya | September 27, 2026

Kenya U23 head coach Anthony Kimani has named his final 27-player squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U23 qualifiers, with the Emerging Stars set to face Tanzania in the first leg of their two-legged tie at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday.

The squad combines players from the Kenyan Premier League with young Kenyan footballers developing abroad as Kimani prepares his side for the regional contest. The Emerging Stars will travel to Tanzania for the return fixture at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on October 6. The aggregate winner will advance to the second qualifying round, where Côte d’Ivoire awaits.

Goalkeepers Caleb Kramer of ADO Den Haag, Mateo Ochieng of Providence College and Collins Omondi of Kariobangi Sharks have been included in the final squad.

The defensive options comprise Ian Onyango of Mathare United, Collins Ochieng of Tusker, Francis Okoth of Kenya Police, unattached defender Baron Ochieng, Wyckliffe Omondi of Tusker, Joseph Bate of Nairobi United and Price Omenda of Murang'a Seal.

In midfield, Kimani has selected Omar Ateek of Mathare United, Kevin Wangaya of Nairobi United, Kelly Madada of AFC Leopards, Oliver Machaka of Kenya Police, Andreas Odhiambo of Enköpings SK, Jack Onganya of Cadiz and Irad Mshindi of Leikpa.

The forward line has the largest representation, with 10 players. They include Duncan Oluoch of Nairobi United, Lawrence Okoth of Bandari, Syphas Owour of Nairobi United, unattached forward Collins Okello, Jeremy Bisau of SD Huesca, Telena Ochieng of Tusker, Brooklyn Kazungu of MK Dons, Paul Osama of Enköpings SK, Henry Omollo of Mufulira Wanderers and Hassan Beja of Red Castle SC.

Several members of the squad have experience in Kenyan youth national teams, while the inclusion of players based abroad adds further depth to Kimani's options. Foreign-based names include Kramer, Odhiambo, Onganya, Mshindi, Bisau, Kazungu, Osama and Omollo.

The final squad follows Kimani's earlier provisional selection for the qualifiers. The initial group included several players who featured for Kenya at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, as well as other emerging talents from domestic and foreign clubs.

Kenya will begin the two-legged contest at home on Monday, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00pm at Nyayo National Stadium. Tanzania will host the second leg on October 6, with the team that wins on aggregate progressing to the next stage.

If Kenya advances, the Emerging Stars will face Côte d'Ivoire in the second qualifying round. The second-round fixtures are scheduled for November 9 and November 17.

The 2027 U23 AFCON finals will be hosted by Egypt and will also serve as Africa's qualification pathway for the men's football tournament at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Egypt will qualify automatically as hosts, with the remaining places determined through the continental qualifying process.

For Kimani and the Emerging Stars, attention now shifts to Nyayo Stadium, where they will look to secure a positive result against Tanzania before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the second leg.