Anthony Kimani Names Kenya U23 Football Squad
Coach Anthony Kimani selects the squad for upcoming U23 AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Soccer
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Kenya head coach Anthony Kimani has announced his provisional U23 squad for the second round of AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast. The roster includes a mix of talent from international clubs in Spain, Sweden, and Norway alongside domestic players.
Why it matters
The team aims to build on their momentum after securing a hard-fought 5-4 aggregate victory over Tanzania in the opening round of the tournament. The winner of this upcoming tie will move on to face either Tunisia or Benin in the final qualifying round.
The team successfully navigated the first round of qualifying by defeating Tanzania with a 5-4 aggregate result. Coach Kimani has integrated new recruits from leagues in Spain, Sweden, Norway, and Kenya to bolster the core group.
The players
Anthony Kimani
He is the head coach of the Kenya U23 men's national football team who is responsible for player selection and tactical preparation for the AFCON qualifying campaign.
The details
The squad features notable players including Aldrine Kibet, Humphrey Aroko, Jack Steel, Emmanuel Osoro, Javan Ochieng, Colin Akeno, Bernard Jairo, Kevin Oduor, Jackson Imbiakha, and Mark Kithome. Kimani opted to retain the majority of the personnel who earned the squad's spot in this second round.
Timeline
The first leg match against Ivory Coast is scheduled for 11 November at Nyayo National Stadium.
The second leg return fixture is set for 17 November at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
Season Trajectory
This roster selection is a critical milestone in the broader context of the U23 AFCON qualifying tournament. Advancing past Ivory Coast would keep Kenya in contention for a spot in the final qualifying round against either Tunisia or Benin.
The upcoming legs against Ivory Coast will determine whether Kenya continues its path toward the final round of qualifiers. Success here would set up a high-stakes match against the winner of the Tunisia-Benin tie.
The takeaway
Maintaining the core group that defeated Tanzania provides tactical consistency for the challenging matches ahead. Fans should monitor roster updates as the team integrates new talent from various European leagues ahead of the November fixtures.
Further reading
For more news and updates on international youth tournaments, visit Soccer.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mozzart Sport Kenya.
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