The Kenya U23 National team, the Emerging Stars, will on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, face off with Sudan in an Africa U23 Cup of Nations cum Olympics Qualifier.

The team jetted out for Khartoum on Sunday, and has since held three training sessions ahead of the first leg tie.

Coach Francis Kimanzi has expressed optimism in the boys, noting that they are motivated to bring back home a positive outcome.

“We did well against Mauritius (in the first round) and it’s good that we have retained a big part of that squad. The boys are motivated and I am confident we’ll get a positive result,” said Coach Francis Kimanzi as the team jetted out to Khartoum.

The match is set to be played at the Al-Merrikh Stadium starting 8 pm EAT. The second leg, meanwhile, is slated for Tuesday, March 26, 2019, with the winner on aggregate facing off with either of Nigeria or Libya in the third round.

The third round winner will grace the Africa U23 Cup of Nations, set to be held in Egypt in November 2019. The top three teams from the tourney will qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics while the fourth-placed finisher will take part in a playoff against a team from the Asian Football Confederation.

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Emerging Stars Squad

Goalkeepers

Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders

Mike Kibwage (KCB), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United), David Owino (Mathare United), Yusuf Mainge (AFC Leopards), Joseph Okumu (Real Monarchs, USA), Boniface Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Moses Mudavadi (Bandari)

Midfielders

Teddy Osok (Wazito), Tobias Otieno (Sony Sugar), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks), Alwyn Tera (FC Saburtalo, Georgia), Peter Thiongo (Kakamega Homeboyz), Curtis Wekesa (Nairobi Stima), Sven Yidah (Kariobangi Sharks)

Forwards

Boniface Mukhekhe (Mt Kenya United), Ovella Ochieng (Vasalund FC, Sweden), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Jafari Owiti (AFC Leopards), John Avire (Sofapaka)

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