Harambee Stars midfielder Aldrine Kibet is already living in 2027 after receiving his maiden call-up to the national team.
Kibet plays for Celta Vigo’s reserve team in the Spanish Second Division league and is part of the Harambee Stars squad that will play Equatorial Guinea on November 14 and Senegal on November 18 in Antalya, Turkey.
“I did not expect it to come this soon. I was expecting to get a call-up much later, maybe in 2027. But I am happy it came early,” said Kibet, describing his call-up as “excitement beyond belief.”
He spoke at Nyayo National Stadium during the Harambee Stars’ final training session before departing for Turkey on Wednesday morning.
Kibet, 19, joined Celta Vigo’s reserve team (known as Celta Fortuna) in July this year, after spending two years at the Nastic Sports Academy in Tarragona, Spain.
Kenya's Aldrine Kibet during the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo on May 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
He joined the academy after impressing at the 2023 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) Games, where he led Kitale’s St. Anthony’s Boys High School to the title.
“I have been focused on improving the technical aspect of my play. I have been working on understanding the game and learning what I am supposed to do at what moment,” he said, discussing how playing in Spain has helped him develop as a player.
He is still waiting for his opportunity to play for Celta Vigo’s first team. He said that Kenyans are bombarding the club’s social media platforms with demands for his inclusion in the main team. “This keeps me motivated,” said Kibet, adding, “It shows that Kenyans are praying for me and supporting me. It motivates me to work hard each day so that I can make Kenyans proud. I am not in the first team yet, but I know my time will come.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy is a former Celta Vigo player. Kibet said McCarthy gave him some advice when he joined the club’s reserve team.
“The coach encouraged me to learn Spanish so that I can communicate with my coaches and teammates. He said that learning the language would help me integrate into the team and make playing easier,” Kibet said.
Gor Mahia winger Sharif Musa was equally excited about returning to the national team. The 23-year-old described his call-up as “an amazing feeling.”
“It’s great to have the opportunity to represent my country,” he said. “This is my second time here. I have waited for this moment for so long, and I am happy it has come because I have been working hard for it,” added Musa, who joined Gor Mahia from Bidco United in January 2024.
Kenya’s striker Aldrine Kibet shoots the ball during their match against Sudan in the Cecafa U20 qualifiers at Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on October 15, 2024.
Photo credit: Pool | Cecafa
He earned his first call-up in March 2024 and has been in fine form for Gor Mahia this season. He contributed three of their 11 league goals with two goals and one assist.
“Gor Mahia is a big team, and you just have to match their performance,” Musa said, explaining what has motivated his impressive performances this season.
“We also have a good coach at Gor Mahia, Charles Akonnor, who brings out the best in me,” he added.
He hopes to carry that form to the national team and cement his place in Harambee Stars ahead of the country co-hosting the 2027 African Cup of Nations with Tanzania and Uganda. “We are facing tough opponents on a big stage, and if I get a chance to feature, I hope to play as well as I have been playing,” Musa said.
“I hope to remain consistent in my performance at club level so that I can continue to get chances to play for the national team because good things can come out of that,” he added.
