The National Super League (NSL) has been a breeding ground for some of Kenya’s finest football talents.Players like Chris Erambo, Andrew Kisilu, Erick Michibu, Ezekiel Okare, Beja Nyamawi, Alvin Ngoto and Dennis Kweyu have all emerged from this competitive arena.The second-tier league is known for nurturing players seeking to rediscover their form after stints in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) and for developing the next generation of football stars despite financial challenges.Clubs continue to invest in their future, fostering talent through youth systems and taking risks with promising newcomers.##NAJAVA_MECA_8126185##Here, we spotlight the NSL’s best U21 performers this season.Wycliffe Oduor, Naivas The custodian has been nothing short of superb since breaking through at retailers at the end of last season.Having been highly praised by the previous head coach Jeff Maina now at Mathare United, his breakthrough year came in the 2022/2023 season, when first-choice shot-stopper the experienced Gradus Ooko got injured, forcing an 18-year-old Odour to take the gloves. He went on to displace Ooko, keeping five clean sheets before cementing his place this campaign.Characterized by his excellent ball distribution and long-range passes, the youngster has proven a force to be reckoned with in between the sticks, and this season he is among the top three goalkeepers, having kept 13 clean sheets.He is contention for the Golden Glove with Mathare’s Steve Njunge and Nairobi United’s Ernest Mohammed, with Naivas collectively registering 18 clean slates.He will be among the players to watch ahead of the transfer window.Daniel Odhiambo, Mombasa Elite Mombasa Elite have their hands on a defender who has the potential to light up the Harambee Stars and Kasarani Stadium in the next decade.When he steps to the green grass, he gives the vibes of Reims defender Joseph Okumu, who turns out to be his caregiver. At only 18 years old, the defender has amassed three seasons in the second tier and doesn’t fear going one-on-one with the forwards.Odhiambo is ready to take the risk and roll the ball to the midfield. When he plays, the team looks better in all aspects; he joins in attacks and is strong in aerial duels.Along with his partner Sharif Madjabe, currently at Bandari, the duo last season kept nine clean sheets, a tally he has surpassed this season and despite the team fighting relegation, Odhiambo and Hakim Ingosi have kept 10 clean sheets and managed to move the club from bottom to seventeenth on the log.The impact he has been able to make is promising and shows that he deserves his place in one of the top teams in the country, if not abroad.McKinstry keen on inflicting pain on Harambee Stars in World Cup QualifiersJoel Kihara, Mombasa Stars The calm and composed striker tantalized Mombasa Stars fans during the 2023–2024 pre-season with assured displays during the team’s trials in August.This saw him rewarded with a contract at the club, which immediately impressed coach Mohammed Madaga, who made him the club’s main forward.However, he would pick up an injury early on that ruled him out of the early stages of the campaign but the former Vihiga United man now Mulembe United came back stronger than the previous and has since netted 13 times for the Bullah Sports-powered club while further creating six goals.The attacker known for his stamina, endurance, offensive and positional awareness is not new to banging goals, during his two-year stay at Mulembe, he scored 34 times while assisting 15, initially, at Kapsabet Allstars, he was on the scoresheet 14 times and created nine goals as per his elaborate curriculum vitae.Elly Owande, Migori Youth Kevin Hagai leaving Migori Youth for Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) was a blessing in disgust for Migori Youth, His understudy, Elly Owande, rose to the occasion and perfectly filled the void left by the right-footed attacker.The winger (Owande) was the talk of the town during the closing stages of 2023.Having transitioned easily from the youth team to the senior side, his performances earned him a place in the Kenya Under 18 and 20 teams, where he featured in all matches, scoring three goals for both outfits and further assisting twice.At Migori, the season started on a bright note but a change in coaches deepened the team’s form, Still in dark moments, Owande, known for his trademark dribbling with pace, has managed to find the back of the net five times while creating four goals in 21 matches for Migori.Benard Ouma, Nairobi United Nairobi United have had some breakout stars this season, with Benard Ouma among them.A central midfielder who can also slot into the defensive midfield role effectively, the youngster seems to have a profile perfectly suited to the Naibois’ style of play.He is very at ease with the idea of attacking space and providing offensive presence; he represents a real threat to his opponents.The 17-year-old has put in many memorable performances for the club so far in the 2023–24 season, most notably in their run to the top three, where he has scored three times as well as provided two assists.The future looks bright for Ouma, who will no doubt be part of Nairobi’s plans for the foreseeable future or secure a move abroad.Other notable young talents in the NSL this season include Kendrick Onzere, Tyron Kariuki, Henry Omolo, Rodgers Oporia, Adrian Oloo, and Rafael Okanga.Five standout performers in the National Super League as season winds down
