Gor Mahia prodigy Benson Omala is among the players who have been included in the Kenya U20 team for the Cecafa tournament to be played in Tanzania from November 22 to December 6.
The youngster was a thorn in defenses when he was with Western Stima, before K’Ogalo managed to snap him.
US-based Arnold Onyango has also been called into the team by coach Stanley Okumbi. AFC Leopards midfielder Austin Odhiambo, Wazito FC custodian Bixente Otieno are also in the squad.
The competition will double up as the Afcon qualifiers for the regional teams.
Kenya’s Rising Stars are in Group C with Ethiopia and Sudan while hosts Tanzania have been pooled in Group A with Rwanda, Somalia and Djibouti. Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan and Uganda are in Group B.
Rising Stars Squad
Goalkeepers
Maxwell Mulili (AFC Leopards), Bixente Otieno ( Wazito), Elvis Ochieng (City Stars)
Defenders
Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Omar Somobwana (AFC Leopards), Joseph Levin (Naivas), Wardfine Akhatsika (Chebuyusi High School), Kelvin Mose (Uweza), Alphonse Omija (Gor Mahia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Rolland Ashimoto (Kakamega High School), Steiner Musasia (Talanta), Nicholas Omondi (Gor Mahia), Keith Imbali (Gor Mahia Youth)
Midfielders
Enoch Wanyama (Ligi Ndogo), Ronald Reagan (Kariobangi Sharks), Alphonse Washe (Bandari), Hamid Mohammed (Bandari), Danson Kiprono (Zoo), Ian Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar), Austine Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Mwakio Kisaka (Riruta United), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Telvin Maina (Kisumu All-Stars), Arnold Onyango (USA)
Forwards
Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Stephen Otieno (Bongonaya), Kappen Samuel (Liberty), Sellasie Otieno (Nzoia Sugar), Unaiz Shajani (Starfield Elite FC)