Kenya U18 captain Amos Wanjala will not be available for Kenya U20’s four-nation tournament set for 18-26 March in Lilongwe, Malawi.The player had been included in coach Salim Babu’s squad that is currently in camp ahead of the tournament, but he is set to sit out the tournament, which will feature Kenya, hosts Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.##NAJAVA_MECA_7950691##All four nations will field a senior team and a U20 side. The senior sides are gearing up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to resume in June, while the juniors are being sharpened for the future and for their integration into the senior national team.Kenya will now have to do without highly rated central defender Wanjala, who was set to make his U20 debut in Lilongwe after his club, Gimnastic de Tarragona, requested that he be allowed to remain at the club. The club is currently in a promotion push with nine games left before the season concludes.”We have received communication from his club requesting his availability for their upcoming games due to the crucial stage of the season. They are currently third in the table and vying for promotion, and he has emerged as a key player for them. They desire his presence for these games,” a source from the Kenya U20 bench informed Mozzart Sport.The Kenya U20 source is confident that the team will cope well without the former St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale skipper.”After internal discussions, we have agreed to the club’s request, and we will proceed to play without him. While he remains an important player for both the present and future, there are instances where exceptions must be made. We will arrange for a replacement within the group.”Provisional Kenya U20 squad for Malawi trip:Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz), Junior Odhiambo (Migori Youth), Joshua Keya (Rainbow), Kevin Alloys (Mathare United), Issa Emuria (Ulinzi Stars).Defenders: Nesta Olum (AFC Leopards), Sigmun Maina (Kariobangi Sharks), Junior Masinza (Kakamega Homeboyz), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka), Francis Kamau (Bidco United), Fidel Otieno (Mathare United), Paul Ochuoga (Gor Mahia), Faiz Opande (Elite Falcon, Dubai), Daniel Odhiambo (Mombasa Elite), Joseph Bate (MOFA), Grant Odiero (Mombasa Elite), Mansur Okwaro (Unattached), Collins Ochieng (Kariobangi Sharks).Midfielders: Linus Munyao (Rainbow), Hamisi Otieno (Homabay), Lucas Maina (Ulinzi Stars), Benard Ouma (Nairobi United FC), Ryan Wesley (Rainbow), Zechariah Obiero (Leyton Onorient FC), Stanley Wilson (AIK, Sweden), Kevin Wangaya (Apollonia FC, Albania), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Brian Kamau (Rainbow), Aldrine Kibet (Nastic Sports Academy), Elly Owade (Migori Youth), Andreas Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks).Forwards: Delphine Omuri (Shabana), Hassan Beja (AFC Leopards), Brian Mboya (Bidco United), Adrian Oloo (Nairobi United), Umar Rajab (Apollonia FC, Albania), Oliver Machaka (Kakamega Homeboyz), James Gachago (St Andrew’s United), Clinton Asiago (Bidco United), Mark Shaban (Gor Mahia), Louis Ingavi (Montvarde Academy, USA), Syphas Otieno (MOFA), Tyron Kariuki (Rainbow), Javan Omondi (Ulinzi Stars), Christopher Koloti (AFC Leopards).Avire, Ayunga named in Harambee Stars’ squad for Malawi tournament
