Kenya has been placed in Group B of the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers, following a draw conducted on Thursday 28 November.The national U17 boys side, which will be under coach Salim Babu, was the last team drawn out in the pool, which includes defending regional champions Somalia, finalists in the 2022 edition South Sudan, and neighboring Sudan.In Group A, tournament hosts Uganda have been pooled alongside Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Burundi.FormatAll eight teams will compete in a round-robin format in the group stages, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the semi-finals.And just like it was in the U20 category, the two teams making it into the finals will effectively book their place in the tournament finals next year.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528841##The tournament takes place at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo and St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende from 14-27 December.In a departure to previous years, this year’s competition is set to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests for the players before they travel to Uganda, in what is seen as a strategic move to curb age-cheating.Joining Babu on Kenya’s technical bench will be Bidco FC coach Antony Akhulia, with Samwel Koko handling the goalkeepers.Salim Babu to lead Kenya U17 team in UgandaBabu already named the provisional squad for the assignment with the final squad expected to be named by Monday, 2 December.Provisional squadGoalkeepers: Theo Mwangi (Ongata Senior), Maurice Agutu (St. Joseph Kitale), Dominic Munisa (Highway Secondary School), Golan Odiwuor (Kisumu), William Owino (Kakamega), Wayne Orata (Kariobangi Sharks).Defenders: Cosmos Azunga (Ongata Senior), Mohammed Chama (Moi Forces Mombasa), Dennis Mutuku (Highway Secondary School), Egnesious Omondi (Kisumu), Silvanus Ondeko (Highway Secondary School), Ahmed Siraji (Githurai All Stars), Raphael Omondi (St. Mary’s Yala), Charles Wesonga (Green Commandos), Preston Macharia (Junda High School), Nuaym Nasib Farooq (Nastic Sports Academy), Fidel Castro (Kisumu), Glory Maina (Kakamega), Denzel Omollo (Oaks International), Jonathan Njenga (Ligi Ndogo), Rashid Ouma (Highway Secondary School), Derrick Wahome (Ligi Ndogo), Wilson Nyangwero (St, Joseph’s Kitale), Carlos Kadzenga (Riba Boys), Seth Dasilva Otieno (Highway Secondary School), Loune Mwangush (Mombasa), Alvin Midimo (Highway Secondary School), Roy Mutimba (Spire Academy, USA), Fidel Odhiambo (Kisumu), Preston Macharia (Junda High School) Nevil Simiyu (Kisumu), Fedinand Isaac (Kakamega), Wayne Obama (Kakamega)Midfielders: Ramadhan Hamisi (Tononoka), Emmanuel Diaware (Nairobi Jaffreys), Alex Okoth Onyango (Our Lady of Fatima), Dismas Ongocho (Dagoretti High), Raymond Otieno (Brwon Hill), Alvin Masika (Kariobangi Sharks Youth), Ferdinand Mukamani, Edison Bwire Okwero (ABN Sports , Mali), James Nyamori (Nastic Sports Academy), James Mugo Ngari, James Mulwa Joseph (ABN Sports, Mali), Devin Charles (Kisumu), Harman Ochieng (Kisumu), Elvine Mubaka (Kakamega), Jumaa Mudzo (Mlaleo), Martin Mwangi Otieno (Mwatate High School), Kyle Ian (Eclavite), Amstrong Omondi (Alliance High School), Lulu Mukambi Wafukho (Jaffrey), Ryan Ehenzo (Highway Secondary School), Joshua Gegaga Wahome (Trinity School, UK), Lukande Mwale (Sad Huesca, Spain), Denis Kikwaye (Butere Boys High School), Lukonde Mwale (Nairobi International School), Tevine Oduor (Kisumu)Forwards: Dante Echessah, Hassan Saleh Akhonga, Timothy Okumu (Highway Secondary School), Geoffrey Omwam (Ambira High School), Danson Maringa (New Mwangeza), Hassan Messi Wairimu (Kayole Twilight), Gibson Wafula (Highway Secondary School), Sadik Racho (Khadijah), Benny Nzimi (Miritini Complex), Fahim Bushura (Kakamega), Mesie Blair (Kisumu), Enock Mwagandi (Kisumu), Yuri Martin Herbert, Muhammed Kadzoka (Mombasa), Milton Mabea (Ligi Ndogo) , Joseph Onyango (St. Patricks), Allan Otieno (Kisumu), Tevine Oduor (Kisumu), Banaya Enock (Kakamega.
