Kenya’s Rising Stars head coach has finalized the 26-man squad for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which begins on April 27 in Egypt. While the core team has stayed mostly the same with many players having progressed together from the U-18 level several notable absentees have stirred debate and disappointment among fans and analysts alike.
Drawn into a challenging Group B that features football giants Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia, the Rising Stars will need every edge to progress. That context made the exclusion of some highly-rated players even more surprising.
Among the five most notable omissions is Tyrone Kariuki, who had previously dazzled fans during the CECAFA U-18 Boys Championships held in Kenya in 2023. Despite his past performances, Kariuki has seen limited playtime since parting ways with Rainbow FC in mid-2024. A move to Croatia fell through, and although he eventually signed for KCB in February 2025, he has yet to make an appearance for the club. His absence from the U-20 side is primarily due to lack of form and fitness, as well as stiff competition for the number 10 role—especially with Aldrine Kibet and Kelly Madada showing stronger form.
The omission of Ibrahim Wanzala arguably caused the biggest stir. A key figure in the team’s qualification campaign, Wanzala had been named the best goalkeeper at the CECAFA qualifiers. Unfortunately, a three-month injury layoff and only a recent return to action at club level may have influenced the technical bench’s decision to leave him out. With goalkeeping being such a critical position, the staff appeared to opt for fitter, more match-sharp alternatives.
Another puzzling exclusion was Louis Ingavi, who led the line during the CECAFA qualifiers. Though initially the first-choice striker, Ingavi gradually lost favor as Lawrence Okoth emerged as the preferred option, offering more physicality and a stronger hold-up game. The coaching staff chose to maintain that attacking profile, selecting backup strikers similar to Okoth rather than a more mobile forward like Ingavi.
Also missing from the squad is Stanley Wilson, a midfielder who had risen through the ranks and was once seen as a future captain. Now based in Sweden with AIK, Wilson has struggled for consistent minutes. Despite expectations that he would be made available for national duty, the technical team chose to go with players in better form. Emilio Brian was selected in his place, and Andreas Odhiambo is expected to partner Kevin Wangaya in the engine room.
Finally, Zech Obiero, a versatile midfielder and former Tottenham Hotspur academy player, did not make the cut. Obiero, who plays for Leyton Orient in England, had impressed during brief stints with the national youth sides, particularly with his ability to play across the attacking third. However, the coaches felt his performances lacked the impact required to merit a place, choosing instead players who had more consistently contributed to the team’s build-up.
These exclusions suggest a clear strategy from the technical bench prioritize current form, match sharpness, and tactical fit over past promise or reputation. With team chemistry already established through years of progression together, the Rising Stars are banking on cohesion and momentum to carry them through a tough group stage.
As the team prepares for battle in Egypt, fans will be watching closely to see whether the decisions to omit players like Kariuki, Wanzala, and Wilson will haunt Kenya’s campaign or if the faith in rising, in-form stars pays off.
