NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- Kenya will be looking to scale the heights at the third U-13 football Milo Africa Championships after a woeful performance in the previous edition in 2012.
The squad of 16 departs Thursday for Lagos, Nigeria comprising of players from Nzoia, Nairobi, Nakuru, Aberdare, Mombasa and Lake Regions that were selected from the Primary School Ball Games finals in Kisumu last month.
The first edition of the biannual continental competition was staged in South Africa where Nigeria protested Kenya’s fielding of six over-aged players to claim the trophy despite losing on the pitch before the side flunked in Ghana two years ago.
“This is not the first time I’m travelling with the team, I took another squad in South Africa where we defeated all the teams apart from Liberia but we were denied the trophy because of age cheating.
“This time, we have the right bracket so we believe we are going to revenge,” head coach Ben Awinda declared when the team was flagged-off in Nairobi by James Kairu, the deputy director in charge of co-curricular activity in the Ministry of Education on Wednesday.
The team that has been camping at Nairobi’s YMCA will battle it out for the top honours with the hosts, defending champions Ghana and South Africa.
Nestle Kenya through their brand Milo, sponsored the trip to a tune of Sh5m (USD 56,915) as part of their partnership with Ministry of Education, Science and Technology since 2009.
“We have been part of the annual primary school ball games and we have a long term partnership with the Ministry of Education for the next 10 years.
“The sponsorship will cover for air tickets, processing of visa, meals, accommodation and playing kit. We want to develop and nurture talents at a tender age because sports has qualities that set foundation for a child’s future and it’s through the games that they learn discipline, teamwork and perseverance,” Nestle Kenya Managing Director, Svetlana Obruchkova stated.
Team
Luther Idaya Nzoia (captain)
Waweru Mbeche Aberdare
Felix Kibet Nakuru
Ian Ikonge Nzoia
Rodger Wanjala Nakuru
Erick Waweru Nairobi
Keny Musyoki Aberdare
Elvis Odhiambo Lake
Brian Mumo Nairobi
Nassir Ahmed Mombasa
Alex Mukundi Aberdare
Charles Ochieng Nairobi
Fred Maina Lake
Samuel Ohuru Lake
Geofrey Otieno Lake
Isaiah Kapkwezi Nzoia
Coach Ben Awinda
Assistant J.M Nzioka
