kenya Under 17 coach confident of AFCON place

Kenya National U17 team coach Michael Amenga has expressed optimism in the team’s chances at the upcoming 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations CECAFA Region Qualifying tournament between August 11, and August 26, 2018, in Tanzania.

This as he noted that there has been an improvement in the team since they hit camp on July 26, 2018, in Nairobi.

Michael Amenga

“There has been steady improvement in the team both physically and tactically,” noted coach Amenga following the team’s 5-2 loss to Kenyan Premier League side Posta Rangers in a buildup friendly match played on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at Camp Toyoyo. The team had earlier on shared the spoils with the Gor Mahia Youth team before edging out Acakoro 2-1.

“With adequate preparations, I am confident that we can post positive results (at the AFCON Qualifiers) and better our performance at the CECAFA U17 Championships in Burundi,” he added.

Kenya has been pooled in Group B alongside Uganda, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan and Djibouti in the 10-nation tournament. Group A comprises hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and Sudan.

The winner of the tourney will get a chance to represent the CECAFA region in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations set to be held in Tanzania in May 2019.

he Kenya national U17 team has kicked off residential training in Nairobi ahead of the upcoming 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations CECAFA Region Qualifying tournament set to be played between August 11, and August 26, 2018, in Tanzania.

This follows successful Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Pre Competition Cardiac Assessment (PCCA) tests carried out on the players on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, as required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ascertain whether the players are within the required age bracket.

The team is under the tutelage of coach Michael Amenga, who will have Kibera Black Stars tactician Godfrey Oduor, Nick Yakhama and former Kenyan International goalkeeper Jerim Onyango on his technical bench.

U17

“Youth development is part of Football Kenya Federation’s long-term football development agenda, and this is why we have invested in junior national teams,” said coach Amenga.

“We got to the semifinals at the CECAFA U17 Championships in Burundi in April and I am confident that with adequate preparations, we will post positive results in Tanzania,” he added.

The tournament will determine which team takes part in the 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in May 2019 alongside Tanzania, who gain an automatic qualification by virtue of being the hosts. The overall winner will thus get the spot, while the runners-up could also make it in case Tanzania emerges champions.

Kenya has been pooled in Group B alongside Uganda, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan and Djibouti. Group A comprises hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and Sudan.

The National U17 team was on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, taken through a series of medical tests to ascertain the players age as required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

This as the team gears up for the upcoming 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations CECAFA Region Qualifying tournament set to be played between August 11, to August 26, 2018, in Tanzania.

“CAF requires us to take the players through the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Pre Competition Cardiac Assessment (PCCA) tests. This is aimed at ensuring that the players that take part in the tournament are not only physically fit but also within the required age bracket,” said FKF General Secretary/CEO Robert Muthomi.

U17 NT Medicals

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