Kenya U20 head coach Gilbert Selebwa/HANDOUT 

Kenya Under-20 head coach Gilbert Selebwa has named a provisional 56-man Rising Stars squad for the Cecafa U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, scheduled for September 16 to 30 in Tanzania.The squad features players from SportPesa League clubs, lower-tier sides, youth teams, academies, schools and clubs abroad as Selebwa seeks to assemble a team capable of qualifying for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.The two finalists in the regional qualifiers will earn qualification to the continental tournament.“We have selected a broad provisional squad because we want to give ourselves enough options before settling on the final team,” Selebwa said.Club-based players are expected to report to camp at Mashuuru Sports Complex on Friday, with school-based players joining later.Selebwa will be assisted by Dunstan Nyaudo and former Harambee Stars midfielder Musa Otieno.“We know the competition will be tough, but our objective is clear. We want to prepare properly and go to Tanzania with a team that can compete for a place in the final,” Selebwa said.The squad has four goalkeepers: KCB's Arnold Shivachi, Mathare United's Boaz Muchiri, Luanda Villa's Rovin Odhiambo and Phillip Omollo of Vickers.The 14-man defence includes Elisha Nalianya of Kakamega Homeboyz, Bilal Otieno of Mathare United, Franklyn Omollo of Kariobangi Sharks, Daniel Ogalo of AFC Leopards, and Tusker's Telena Ochieng and Collins Ochieng.Bandari have three defenders in Baraka Rodgers, Suale Juma and Swale Abu, while Ulinzi Stars' Kevin Musambai and players from Samitsi FC, Valencia Academy and Cryuff Academy complete the department.The midfield features players from AFC Leopards, Kariobangi Sharks, KCB, Bandari, Mombasa United, Gor Youth, Migori Youth and 3K FC.Among the notable selections are Aldrine Kibet of Celta Fortuna in Spain, Andreas Odhiambo of Enkopings SK in Sweden and Vincent Omondi of MOFA, alongside several academy players.“We have deliberately looked beyond the established clubs because there is talent in different parts of the country and at different levels,” Selebwa said.The forwards include KCB's Alfred Ratolo, Nicholas Omondi of Kariobangi Sharks, AFC Leopards' Bravin Makani, Austin Odongo of Shabana and Syphas Otieno of Nairobi United.Mara Sugar's Inistin Simiyu, Gor Youth's Livingstone Ochieng, Shabana's Luis Ingavi, Quincy Mbugua of BFC Dynamo and unattached forward Markvivian Khisa complete the attacking options.Selebwa said selection remains open, with every player required to earn a place in the final squad.“The door is open for every player who has been called up, but nobody has a guaranteed place in the final team,” he said.The coach will now use the camp to assess the players and develop the tactical approach ahead of the qualifiers.“We are going to use the camp to assess the players, work on our tactical approach and create a team that understands what we expect from them,” Selebwa said.Provisional squad GoalkeepersArnold Shivachi, Boaz Muchiri, Rovin Odhiambo, Phillip Omollo​DefendersEelisha Nalianya, Bilal Otieno, Franklyn Omollo, Daniel Ogalo, Telena Ochieng, Kevin Musambai, Baraka Rodgers, Suale Juma, Swale Abu, Micheal Eshirama, Amos Wanjala, Collins Ochieng, Jermaine Msine​MidfieldersZinedine Wesonga, Adrian Oloo, Paul Kinyanjui, Emmanuel Aduga, Rafael Omondi, Martins Odiero, Steward Armstrong, Hashim Munyendo, Iddi Wesonga, Glen Yannick Kariuki, Erastus Erute, Eugene Barasa, Ashraf Thaire, Moses Mulekano, Collins Mwalati, Suleiman Kalema, Ramadhan Hamisi, Khamis Mohammed, Collins Okello, Sweden Collins Mboya, Sammy Indonyi, Derrick Owino, Lemmy Menza, Meloy Odhiambo, Jabes Otieno, Wayne Moya, Lee Njiru, Michael Owen, Churchill Otieno, Humphrey Okoth, Morgan Onyango, Vincent Omondi, Aldrine Kibet, Andreas Odhiambo, Elly Owande​ForwardsAlfred Ratolo, Nicholas Omondi, Bravin Makani, Austin Odongo, Syphas Otieno, Inistin Simiyu, Livingstone Ochieng, Luis Ingavi, Markvivian Khisa, Quincy Mbugua