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The national U-20 soccer team, Rising Stars, will face Sudan in two friendly matches in preparation for the upcoming CECAFA U-20 championship, scheduled for November 22.North Dakota-6th of Decemberth in Arusha, Tanzania .
Members of Rising Stars, including the technical bench, underwent covid19 tests on Sunday before the two friendly matches lined up on Monday and Thursday at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani, Nairobi.
Head coach Stanley Okumbi led the 27-man team in conducting the tests as he remained optimistic about the team’s good performance in the tournament, encouraged by the talent at his disposal, even as he admitted that gray areas existed.
“I have talented young guys, although there are a couple of areas that need fixing, and I will have to fill them or do the work to have a formidable side. I hope to make a couple of changes to the team, Okumbi said.
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The Tanzania Under-20 national soccer team, popularly known as the Serengeti Boys, is the defending champion, after defeating Kenya 1-0 in the 2019 final held in Uganda.
The Rising Stars have been grouped into Group C of the regional tournament by age group along with Ethiopia and Sudan.
Group A is made up of hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia and Djibouti, while Group B is made up of Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan and Uganda.
The best teams from each of the three groups will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament, along with a best runner-up. Meanwhile, the finalists are set to earn an automatic spot at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2021.
Rising Stars team at camp: –
Goalkeepers
Maxwell Mulili (AFC Leopards), Bixente Otieno (Wazito), Elvis Ochieng (City Stars)
Defenders
Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Omar Somobwana (AFC Leopards), Joseph Levin (Naivas), Wardfine Akhatsika (Chebuyusi High School), Kelvin Mose (Uweza), Alphonse Omija (Gor Mahia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Rolland Ashimoto (Wazito), Steiner Musasia (Talanta), Nicholas Omondi (Gor Mahia), Keith Imbali (Gor Mahia Youth)
Midfielders
Enoch Wanyama (Small League), Ronald Reagan (Kariobangi Sharks), Alphonse Washe (Ports), Hamid Mohammed (Ports), Danson Kiprono (Zoo), Ian Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar), Austine Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Mwakio Kisaka (Riruta ) United), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Telvin Maina (Kisumu All-Stars), Arnold Onyango (USA)
Forward
Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Stephen Otieno (Bongonaya), Kappen Samuel (Liberty), Sellasie Otieno (Liberty), Unaiz Shajani (Starfield Elite FC)
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