National U20 team have already qualified for the biennial 2025 U20 AFCON and will debut in the competition after coming second in the qualifiers
Former AFC Leopards captain Charles Okwemba believes now is the right time to overhaul Harambee stars squad and promote the youth coming through the ranks.
He said there’s time to bed in new players and give Stars a new face with eyes on the 2027 AFCON that Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The experienced players selected for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers have failed to impress as the Engin Firat-coached side will not be in Morocco for the 35th edition of the biennial championship.
Disappointment as Harambee Stars failed to secure a vital win against Zimbabwe ending their hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
“We have enough time to get the right project that will see our pride of football being restored. I think there is enough time now to build a good team for the 2027 tournament,” the former midfielder told Citizen Digital.
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Former AFC Leopards midfielder Charles Okwmba has questioned the credentials of Ingwe new coach Tomas Trucha who he does not feel will lead them to success
National U20 team have already qualified for the biennial 2025 U20 AFCON and will debut in the competition after coming second in the qualifiers held in Tanzania in October.
The U-20 AFCON tournament also doubles as the African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile where teams who reached the semi-finals stage qualified automatically, giving Junior Stars a fighting chance.
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Kenyan dreams were shattered as Engin Firat’s false promises left Harambee Stars broken, missing AFCON 2025 and hope itself.
While the likes of U20 captain Amos Wanjala was included in the Harambee Stars matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia, Okwemba said more players need to make the grade for smooth transition into the senior national team.
“There is a big problem with the senior team; it’s time for some change; I feel the team can better with the smooth transition of junior players…as you can see the junior teams are performing better in their respective categories.”
