Creative midfielder Tyron Kariuki has admitted that earning a slot in the Rising Stars team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations of Nations (AFCON) finals hugely influenced his decision to join KCB FC.Kariuki this week caught many by surprise after he agreed to join the Bankers on a year-long deal, considering that for a long time, he had been thought to be preparing for a move to Europe.He however elected to settle at KCB, despite the reported interest from Croatia’s HNK Hajduk Split and Spanish side Nastic Academy.##NAJAVA_MECA_8711187##Kariuki, who trained with KCB slightly over two weeks before putting pen to paper, insists that gracing the Kenyan Premier League will enhance his chances of making the AFCON U20 cut.Rising Stars have been placed in Group C alongside; Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone in a tournament scheduled to run between 26, April to 18 May in Ivory Coast.Having missed the qualifiers held in October last year in Tanzania, where Kenya finished as runner-up, Kariuki is keen on taking the local competition by storm and getting the nod from coach Salim Babu.“It is unfortunate that I missed the qualifiers due to a knee injury that I picked after arriving in Tanzania. I am determined to make amends by working myself into the final team that will travel to Ivory Coast. I cannot be on the team based on last year’s form or performance but the current one. I had this at the back of my mind before signing for KCB,” he told Mozzart Sport in an exclusive interview.Kenya to face defending champions Senegal in AFCON U20 ChampionshipsJust like any other player, the former Rainbow FC midfielder possesses hopes of winning the league title.Interestingly, Kariuki listed clinching the league title and getting better deals abroad as the other goals he will be pursuing in the season.“There was a lot of interest for my signature but I gave my assurance to the management of KCB FC that I will join. I believed in coach Patrick Odhiambo’s project and philosophy. I believe that we will win the league title. A good season at KCB will go a long way in opening bigger doors for me,” he added.Kenyan grandmothers set to compete in South AfricaPressed on the reported interest from Croatia and Spain, Kariuki remained tight-lipped on the deals, opting to commit to helping KCB land their maiden league crown.“I do not want to revisit the past at all. My focus is on KCB and my development,” said Kariuki.
