Kenya U23 head coach Ken Odhiambo has named his final 23-man squad set to participate in the upcoming COSAFA Cup scheduled for 26 June to 7 July 2024.Kenya, who landed an invite to the 12-team tournament last week after one of the participating nations – Malawi – pulled out of the championships, will for this competition, field a squad purely made up of under 23 players.Ambitious Ken Odhiambo ready to take “worthy risk” with Kenya U23s in COSAFA CupIt is for this reason that some players initially called up to the 36-man provisional team have been cut, with the only changes being the inclusion of Talanta striker Alfred Tanui and Elly Owande, who now make part of the travelling squad.Among the players dropped from the squad expected to leave Nairobi on Tuesday morning include experienced players like Johnstone Omurwa (Portugal), Teddy Akumu (unattached), Boniface Onyango (Tusker), and goalkeeper Brian Bwire (Tusker).Making the extended list of others dropped are: Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka), Faiz Opande (USA), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Mohammed Bajaber (Nairobi City Stars), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Fortune Omoto (Kariobangi Sharks, Emmanuel Osoro (Nzoia Sugar), George Gitau (Middlesbrough), Zech Obiero (Leyton Orient), Samuel Kapen (Nairobi City Stars), Josphat Lopaga (Dynamo Brest) and Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz).##NAJAVA_MECA_8173382##As per coach Odhiambo, who will lead the squad for the first time after serving as Harambee Stars assistant for a long time, the inclusion of young players in his squad, is set to provide them a great opportunity to gain international experience and exposure.As a result, his travelling squad consists of some names making a step-up from the U18s and U20 set-ups including: Ibrahim Wanzala (Kakamega Homeboyz), Amos Wanjala (Nastic Sports Academy), Stanley Wilson (Kariobangi Sharks), Elly Owande (Migori Youth) and Aldrine Kibet (Nastic Sports Academy).Aldrine Kibet leaning on previous experiences ahead of COSAFA Cup involvementOther players in the squad boast of international experience with the Harambee Stars.Among them are: Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Bryne Omondi (Bandari), Alphonce Omija (Dhofar, Oman), John Ochieng (Zanaco), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Benson Omalla (Gor Mahia) and Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards).Kenya has been placed in Pool B of the tournament alongside Zambia, Zimbabwe and Comoros. Their first game is against Zambia on 27 June at the NMB Stadium.Travelling SquadGoalkeepersByrne Omondi, Ibrahim Wanzala, Dolph JuniorDefendersAlphonce Omija, Paul Ochuoga, Sylvester Owino, Geoffrey Onyango, Hanniff Wesonga, Amos WanjalaMidfieldersStanley Wilson, Elly Owande, Chrispine Erambo, Aldrine Kibet, Austine Odhiambo, Patrick Otieno, John Ochieng, Kaycie Odhiambo, William Gitamu, Rooney Onyango.ForwardsBenson Omalla, Jeremy Bissau, Alfred Tanui, Hassan Beja
