Kenya Under-15 boys team head coach Patrick Nyale is banking on technical ability and
tactical flexibility as Kenya prepares to compete at the inaugural FIFA U-15
Boys World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, which begins on October 22.
Nyale has named a 14-player squad for the tournament, with
Kenya set to face Malta, Niger, North Macedonia, Panama and Chad in the opening
phase.
The coach says the selection focused on players capable of
handling the demands of a format that emphasizes quick thinking, close control
and individual skill.
The squad comprises four defenders, four midfielders, four
forwards and two goalkeepers.
“We have prepared the squad well in all departments, and we
have different plans for how we will attack and defend,” Nyale said, expressing
confidence in the team’s readiness after several weeks of training camp.
The competition will use an eight-a-side format, with
matches played on smaller pitches and divided into two 20-minute halves.
Rolling substitutions will also allow coaches to rotate their players
throughout games.
Unlike conventional tournaments, the event is designed to
give participating teams more opportunities to play.
After the opening round of matches, teams will be grouped
into performance tiers based on their results and continue competing against
sides in the same categories.
The winners of the top tier will be crowned the inaugural
champions.
For Nyale, however, the tournament is about more than
winning silverware. It will be the players’ final assignment before moving up
to the under-17 level, making it an important test of their readiness for the
next stage of development.
He says success will be measured by how confidently the youngsters express themselves on the pitch, compete against their opponents and apply the basic principles of the game.
Kenya U-15 squad
Goalkeepers: Elvis Odhiambo (Kisumu Day), Raudge Johnstone
(St. Mary’s Yala)
Defenders: Alpha Amieno Omega (Plainsview Academy), Griffins
Ndavi (Butere Boys), Junior Otieno (St. Antony Boys Kitale), Bleza Barack
(Icipe JSS).
Midfielders: Silas Juma (Butere Boys), Innocent Media (St.
Joseph’s Kitale), Abdirahim Mohammed (Boys Town, Garissa), Javan Ochieng (St.
Joseph’s Kitale).
Forwards: Dancan Muya (Bwake Boys), Lewis Wafula (Mumias
Central JSS), Roy Clinton (St. Antony Kitale), Erick Masika Mamati (St.
Joseph’s Kitale).