Why highly-rated Aldrine Kibet will miss Harambee Stars trip to Malawi

The Kenya U20 football head coach Salim Babu has ruled out the inclusion of highly talented midfielder Aldrine Kibet from his squad for the four-nations tournament set to take place from 18-26 March in Malawi.

Speaking to FKF Media on Monday, March 18, the tactician indicated that the former St. Anthony’s Kitale Boys High School player will not feature as he was not part of the training camp.

Babu who led Junior Stars to the final of the CECAFA U18 Championship in December 2023, oozed confidence in the current squad insisting that it was well prepared for the task ahead. He thus insisted no other player would join the team.

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"I believe the team is going to do the right thing because we have been with the squad from U18 in Kisumu and we have been here for one week. I believe we are ready considering the training we had," he stated.

"For international-based players, we have only received Stanley Wilson (AIK, Sweden) and James Gachago (St Andrew’s United, Scotland).

I have not seen the rest but I believe the ones we have can deliver because we have tightened up. I don't expect another player to join the team unless otherwise," he said.

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When asked the reason behind locking out players who were not part of the training camp, Babu said; "they are out because we have said that we must give a chance to other players so that their talents can also be identified. I believe if we have enough talents outside there, by 2027 everything will be fine."

Babu also corroborated reports on the absence of Amos Wanjala who is currently engaged with club engagements. Wanjala clarified the issue indicating that his Spanish side Gimnastic de Tarragona U19 team is fighting to secure a promotion to La Liga 2.

"I will not make it to the national assignment because the professional academy that I signed up for is currently in position three and only positions one and two get to proceed to another level," he stated.

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"If we lose even one game then that will wrap up our season and at the moment we only have nine games remaining. The team really requires my services because we must fight for the top two positions," Wanjala explained.

The team will be heading out to Malawi this coming week for a four-nation tournament that includes the hosts, Zimbabwe and Zambia as part of build-up and preparation for future assignments. However, Zambia pulled out from the U20 side.

The team is expected to fly out of the country this week ahead of the much-awaited test in Malawi.

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