Harun Mwale in action against Thika United on his debut. He has been named in the final 18 – man Kenya U23 national team for the 2019 AFCON U23 qualifiers

The Kenya U23 national team head coach Francis Kimanzi has made his selection, picking 18 players he intends to use in the first of the qualifiers towards the AFCON U23 qualifiers against Mauritius this month.

From the provisional squad of 57 called up in camp earlier, the coach has trimmed the team to a manageable number with Timothy Odhiambo, Harun Mwale and Ibrahim Shambi all making the cut.

For Timothy and Shambi, the call up is not the first; they have been with the team longer and were part of the team that played friendly matches against Uzbekistan earlier in the year, along with Cliff Kasuti.

Harun Mwale, on the other hand, secures his first ever national team call up and it comes just five months after joining Ulinzi Stars from second tier side St. Joseph Youth FC. He had a great run in the second half of the 2018 season with head coach Dunstan Nyaudo using him both in defensive and attacking positions on the left flank.

Full squad

Goalkeepers

Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders

Mike Kibwage (KCB), Lennox Ogutu (Mathare United), Johnstone Omurwa (Mathare United), David Owino (Mathare United), Harun Mwale (Ulinzi Stars), Yussuf Mainge (AFC Leopards)

Midfielders

Teddy Osok (Sofapaka), Tobias Otieno (Sony Sugar), Ibrahim Shambi (Ulinzi Stars), Abdallah Ahmed (Mathare United), Chrispinus Onyango (KCB), James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks).

Forwards

Boniface Mekhekhe (Nakumatt), Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka), Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Jaffari Owiti (AFC Leopards)