Kenyan youngsters eye priceless opportunity to impress scouts after landing Spain invitation

When the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Sports Ababu Namwamba flagged off the U19 boys and girls select teams headed for a two-week stay in Spain, one thing was common on the faces of the budding players present during the brief ceremony - a smile.

The youngsters couldn't contain their joy after the opportunity to showcase their footballing talents in one of the highest platforms on the global stage which they normally just hear over the radio or watch on tv transpired right before their eyes.

The teams are expected to participate in the Costa Daurada Cup in the full glare of scouts from various Spanish academies and from other European clubs who normally send representatives to pick the best in the showpiece that starts on Sunday.

The Daurada Cup is normally held twice in a year (during spring and summer) and has its doors open to boys and girls in the U19, U11, U16 and senior teams.

Sports CS Ababu Namwamba flags off the Talanta Hela U19 boys and girls teams

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Later the teams (made up of 19 girls and 20 boys) will be hosted by the oldest Spanish club Nastic Soccer Academy for elite training in Tarragona.

The Nastic Soccer Academy is not an alien name to the players as the outfit gained fame last year after acquiring the Kenyan trio of Amos Wanjala, Aldrine Kibet and Allan Kasavuli.

Wanjala, the former national U18 team captain has already been drafted into Gymnastic Tiragona, the professional side of the academy U19 team after impressing the coaching fraternity.

Full of gratitude to the government, the physically gleeful players, some accompanied by their family members in the flag-off ceremony held at the Ministry's offices in Upper Hill Nairobi on Friday afternoon, were genuinely happy for several reasons among them the prospect of landing deals in Spain.

Namwamba and Nastic Academy bosses confirmed that scores of scouts will be monitoring the Kenyan youth closely and the outstanding ones will not board the plane back home but land a chance to develop their football talent in an environment whose sporting structures can only be envied locally.

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For William Gitama, the trip to Spain not only presents him the first opportunity to board a plane but also, the first step towards achieving his childhood dream of playing for English Premier League champions Manchester City.

While most of his peers locally are still tucked in academies or club youth teams, Gitama's skills won an elevation to the Bandari senior team after impressing while in the youth setup a year ago.

Gitama, who globally idolizes Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, remained confident of winning the hearts of Spanish scouts and probably achieving his dream of seeing and playing against his role model before finding the way to Man City.

"My ultimate dream is to play for Manchester City in future. Traveling to Spain and doing what I love most there in the presence of scouts is an opportunity I want to take with both hands and make it count.

I have promised myself to give my best and probably sign a deal," the winger, who regionally draws inspiration from South African winger Mahlatsi 'Skudu' Makudubela who plays for Tanzanian Premier League champions Yanga, told SportsBoom.

Bandari winger Willam Gitama

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Gitamu's wishes coincided with the ones haboured by striker Peter Mutie who bears the ambition to play for European giants Real Madrid.

Mutie who strongly envisages himself captaining the national team in future said he had cast all hopes on his lethal feet to connect his football dream to reality during the stay in Spain.

"I am excited by a number of things. When I fell in love with the game of football, I used to fantasize playing for European clubs and the national team.

This trip to Spain, I believe, will open the way for me as I am prepared to showcase my goal scoring abilities and announce myself to the rest of the world. I am also happy to be boarding the plane for the first time and representing my beloved country out there," said the Kylian Mbappe fanatic.

Majority of the Kenyan boys have their idols and role models out there but not for central attacking midfielder Levis Tirop who interestingly seeks to make modest steps by following the footsteps of his compatriot Aldrine Kibet.

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Tirop revealed that he had a longstanding friendship with Kibet, who moved to Spain last year, by virtue of being born and raised in the same area in Baringo County.

“I have been asking myself if my long-term friend Kibet made it, why not me? Kibet and I come from the same area and his move to Spain encouraged some of us to work harder and emboldened our beliefs that it was also possible to make it.

This trip means a lot for me and even as I hope to follow in the footsteps of my friend, "said Tirop who was signed by topflight side FC Talanta in the mid-season transfer window.

Aldrine Kibet

The aspirations of the young ones were also shared by their coaches who expressed confidence in their talents winning them contracts in Spain or with other top European academies.

The girls' head coach Jackline Juma tipped at least five of her stars to succeed and fulfill their desires of playing professional football.

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“I have been urging the players to grab this opportunity and make it count. These chances are scarce and the players ought to make the best out of them.

I have spent considerable time with them since the scouting process began and I am satisfied with their talents and level of commitment. I am sure we will have a few remaining in Spain,” said Juma

It isn't a far-fetched plan for some players to be retained by the host academy or secure offers elsewhere in the eyes of the boys' coach Stanley Okumbi.

“We have talent in abundance in the team. I am certain we will match the Spanish teams’ tactically,” said the former national team head coach.

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Costa Daurada Tournament 2024 (Spring)

Monday 25 March

• Qualification matches
• Opening ceremony

Tuesday 26 March

• Qualification matches

Wednesday 27 March

• Playoff games

Thursday 28 March

• Playoff and Final games
• Presentation of medals and trophies