Kenya’s rising stars may have packed
their bags early from their maiden Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in
Cairo, Egypt, but several players left a mark on the continental stage and are
expected to join European sides.
The Stars fell 3-2 to Morocco,
followed by a 3-1 loss to Tunisia and a 2-2 draw against Nigeria.
Despite the early exit, Kevin
Wangaya, Hassan Beja, Aldrine Kibet, and Baron Oketch impressed the scouts who
graced the tournament.
Reports from Cairo indicate that
scouts from Egypt, Italy, Croatia, Georgia, and Turkey have shown interest in
the players after closely monitoring their performances.
Wangaya, who is currently
unattached, played all three preliminary matches, scored one goal, assisted two
others, and wrapped it up with the Man of the Match award in their final Group
B clash against Nigeria.
The midfield maestro’s skillful
display and tireless work ethic at the heart of Kenya’s midfield also earned
him a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Wangaya thanked his teammates for
the support that helped him clinch the Man of the Match award against Nigeria
and expressed hope to continue soaring high.
“I want to thank God for helping me
achieve this award, and I would also like to thank my teammates because without
them, I would not have gotten it—given it is not easy to win,” Wangaya said.
“I also want to thank FKF and the
technical bench, but all in all, it is God’s doing. Winning the Man of the
Match shows there is something. We have to go back home and keep working harder
because it is not easy.”
Meanwhile, AFC Leopards midfielder
Hassan Beja managed one goal and two assists, also impressing alongside the
sleek-footed Nastic Academy star Aldrine Kibet.
Beja’s representatives say they have
received offers from two clubs in Egypt, one in the Middle East, and one from
Europe.
In the meantime, hard-tackling
Sofapaka right-back Baron Ochieng is expected to ply his trade in the land of
the Pharaohs after signing a pre-contract with Egyptian giants Pyramids FC.
A successful deal with the CAF
Champions League finalists will see Ochieng join the ranks of greats like Peter
Dawo, who played for Arab Contractors in 1990, and former Harambee Stars
midfielder Simeon Mulama, who featured for Ismaily in 2001—both of whom played
in the lucrative Egyptian league.
