Kenya U20 team head coach Salim Babu is pleased with the team’s preparations so far ahead of the four-nation tournament to be held in Malawi from March 21st.The Junior Stars will depart for Malawi alongside the senior team, who will participate in a separate competition. The other nations expected to participate in the tournament are hosts Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.##NAJAVA_MECA_7958568##The Stars have been undergoing training and have participated in two friendly matches against the Tusker Youth team and Kibera Soccer FC. Babu asserts that his team is prepared for the tournament, and they now eagerly anticipate their travel to Lilongwe.“We have prepared well since we commenced our training on Monday, and we have had one good week of training. The boys are ready for the tournament,” he stated confidently.Regarding the team’s physical readiness, Babu, who also serves as the Kenya U18 and Kenya Police FC head coach, mentioned that selecting players who regularly feature for their clubs has been advantageous as they are in good physical shape.“The boys are in good shape because they are fit from training at their respective clubs. We are ready, everyone is prepared to feature in the game; we are just awaiting our travel arrangements,” he added.Gor Mahia coach thrilled by players’ national team selectionsHe further noted that even the players who will not make it to the traveling squad will return home satisfied.“The training sessions have been productive, the players are motivated, and even those we will release will leave confident, knowing that if they perform well, they will get a chance to represent the nation,” he emphasized.Babu believes that the Junior Stars will benefit from the tournament and expects the players to give their best on the field.“This tournament presents a great opportunity for these players; it will provide them with valuable exposure. Such opportunities do not come every day, and the players must seize it and perform well,” he remarked.Regarding his expectations for the tournament, Babu stated that they anticipate a physical competition but plan to overcome it by playing good football.“We anticipate our opponents to be physical, but we intend to play as a cohesive team. We have talented players capable of playing well, and we will stick to our style of good football,” he added confidently.Wanyama watches from the bench as Montreal suffer last-minute heart breakKenya will face Malawi in the semifinals, with either Zambia or Zimbabwe to follow in the next stage. Provisional SquadGoalkeepers: 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), Amos Wanjala (Nastic Sports Academy), 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).NSL: Mathare United target MCF scalp in Sunday action
