Junior Stars at the CECAFA u18 Championships: The five standout players for Kenya after opening two games

Junior Stars at the CECAFA u18 Championships: The five standout players for Kenya after opening two games

Mark Kinyanjui 08:30 - 29.11.2023

These are the five players that have really made a statement and promise that they could be fast-tracked into more senior set ups in future:

The Kenya national u18 side Junior Stars have gotten off to an excellent start in their opening two games of the CECAFA u18 tournament taking place in Kakamega and Kisumu.

Stars obliterated Sudan 5-0 in the opening match, before following up with a 1-0 win over Rwanda, to put themselves into pole position for the semi-finals.

Although all the players have taken their chances when given the opportunity, some have been the pick of the bunch. Here are the five players that have really made a statement and promise that they could be fast-tracked into more senior set ups in future.

Tyrone Kariuki- Left winger

Arguably the player of the tournament for Kenya so far, Tyrone Kariuki is a player that has been a breath of fresh air donning national colours.

The Rainbow FC winger has shown his capabilities as a fleet-footed winger. He has been taking his men on brilliantly, been excellent and operating the left half space and has been combining particularly well with left back Collins Ochieng’ (more on him later), as well as his direct running.

He has registered a goal and an assist so far this tournament.

Aldrine Kibet -Attacking midfielder

Aldrine Kibet has been earning rave views since his stellar school games campaign for St. Anthony’s Kitale back in August, which won him a sports scholarship to go to Spain, where he has been based since.

He has lived up to expectations as the side’s star player so far, scoring two goals and registering an assist as he has offered a creative spark as an attacking midfielder-secondary striker hybrid type for the side.

Any time he touches the ball, the fans at Kisumu’s Mamboleo Stadium have gone wild, underpinning his ability to inject fear into the opposition defence.

Manzur Okwaro -Centre back

Manzur Okwaro has epitomized how a modern centre back should look like in his appearances for the Junior Stars so far.

He has been adept at bringing the ball out from the back with his left foot, as well as spray line breaking passes, underpinning his comfortable nature on the ball.

Off the ball, he has shown his athletic prowess by having the pace to make recovery runs and defend large spaces in the event Babu’s boys turn over possession.

Collins Ochieng- Left back

The marauding left back has been a threat all tournament especially going forward, linking particularly well with Tyrone Kariuki.

He assisted striker Louis Ingavi’s diving header during their 5-0 obliteration of Sudan in their opening match of the season.

On top of that, Ochieng has been adept at hugging the line and allowing Kariuki to drift narrow into areas where he can affect the game more effectively, and it has worked to the tee so far.

Stanley Wilson - Midfielder

The 18-year old Kariobangi Sharks midfielder has shown maturity beyond his years with his displays, showing why he has been a mainstay for his club this season, as well as why he earned a call-up to the Harambee Stars set up in September.

Wilson assisted Kibet’s lone goal against Rwanda on Tuesday morning, and on top of that, has dictated the tempo of how the side has played, both with his ability to carry the ball forward as well as spray line-breaking passes.

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