Cecafa: Wepo upbeat as Okumbi set to trim U20 squad

Enosh Ocheing (right) of Ulinzi Stars battles for the ball with Brian Wepo of Nzoia Sugar during the Sportpesa Premier League match played at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on May 6,2019. Photo:Kipsang Joseph

Kenya U20 defender Brian Wepo is confident that the national junior team, Rising Stars, will do well at the upcoming Cecafa U20 Championship set for September 14-18 in Uganda.

The Nzoia Sugar right back, who has recovered from a knee injury that he sustained at the close of last season, is part of coach Stanley Okumbi’s 42-man provisional squad that started training at Gems Cambridge International School on Tuesday.

Wepo was part of the squad that was eliminated from last year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on away goal rule by Rwanda’s Junior Wasps (1-1 on aggregate).

Other notable inclusions in the team are newly signed AFC Leopards defender Collins Shichenje, Brian Bwire, Tom Teka (Kariobangi Sharks), Musa Masika, Joshua Nyantini (Wazito), Ronald Shichenje (Aspire Academy), Richard Odada (Red Star Belgrade) and John Njuguna (Ulinzi Stars).

Going by the quality in the team and how they are training, the Kakamega High alumnus is ready to repay the faith shown in him by Okumbi.

“I didn’t imagine I will make such a quick comeback to the team after suffering a knee injury in May. But after resuming training with my club (Nzoia) in the preseason, here I’m I’ve been selected. I’m more than ready to repay the faith the coach has shown in me,” Wepo told Standard Sports.

“Right now, I’m working hard to make the cut and the rest will follow. With the quality in the team, I’m confident this team will perform better in Uganda.”

The squad is expected to be trimmed to 30 players today before heading to a residential camp.

“The training has been impressive and everyone is looking to the tournament. We expect to whittle down the squad to 30 players today,” said Okumbi.