_(1)-min.jpg)
R. OdhiamboWanzala thrilled by national team call-up, sets eyes on lifting CECAFA U-18 title
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 23.11.23. | 07:40
He has previously been involved for Kenya in the U15 and U17s categories
Kakamega Homeboyz rookie Ibrahim Wanzala has expressed his delight after being named in the Kenya U18 national team that is set to represent the country in the upcoming CECAFA under-18 championship.
The tournament will begin on the weekend of 26 November 2023, and run for two weeks, ending on 9 December.
The championship will be held at Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu, and Kakamega Homeboyz's home ground, Bukhungu Stadium, with the finals slated for Kisumu's Mamboleo Stadium.
The youthful custodian has been involved in two league matches for Homeboyz since the season began, keeping two clean sheets in his side's 2-0 and 5-0 wins over Muhoroni Youth and Sofapaka FC respectively.
First match of the season ,first clean sheet to his name
— Kakamega Homeboyz FC (@FcHomeboyz) November 5, 2023
Ibrahim Wanzala recorded our third clean sheet of the season
Well in Babu 💪@mozzartbetkenya #AbanaBeingo pic.twitter.com/3yG6gktaHh
This will be the third time Wanzala will be donning the national team colors, having been involved in 2017 and 2019 for the CECAFA under-15 and 17 championships respectively.
The former Busia Township Secondary School alumni has set his eyes on clinching this year's edition after narrowly missing out the last time he was involved.
"I am so happy with my latest achievement. Honestly, I wasn't expecting the call-up, having largely not been used since the season began, but I am glad I made the cut, which I believe has been contributed to by my recent performance for my club," he told Mozzart Sport.
.jpg)
Wanzala believes that despite the short preparation period, they are ready to go all the way for the trophy when the championship culminates in a fortnight.
"I have been previously involved in representing the nation, but we fell short in the quarterfinals and semi final stages, but I am really focused on helping the team achieve a greater milestone this year by winning the tournament. We haven't had enough time to train as a unit, but I am confident we have a solid team that will be able to get the job done," added the soft-spoken custodian.
Kenya is grouped in Pool A alongside Somalia, Rwanda and Sudan.
The Junior Stars will take on Sudan in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday at the Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu.
