Ulinzi Stars’ Motian aims to revive Kenya’s Afcon 2025 hopes

Cameroon leads Group 'J' and has already booked their spot in Morocco, leaving second placed Zimbabwe and Kenya, who are in third to battle for the second slot.

Due to the lack of Fifa and Caf-accredited stadiums in Kenya and Zimbabwe, the matches will be held at the 46,000-seater Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. Kenya, who have previously ‘hosted’ their qualifying matches at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda have opted to play the match in South Africa due to the short period between the fixtures.

Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium are currently undergoing renovations.

The Harambee Stars’ 24-man squad entered camp Sunday in preparation for the must-win games.

Motian, 27, who also received a call-up for the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) return leg against South Sudan, but did not play, expressed his excitement and determination to contribute to the team’s success.

Kenya drew 1-1 in the second leg on November 3 ,but had lost the first leg 2-0.

Motian, one of the two new faces in the team, alongside Kenya-U20 captain skipper Amos Wanjala, is eager to seize his opportunity.

“As a player, I’m happy to have had a chance to be named in the final list for the upcoming qualifiers. This is a chance for me to do my best in my football career since not all players get a chance in the national team,” he told Nation Sport.

“I’m eyeing a chance in the coach’s squad and will use the minutes I’m given to prove myself. This season, I have played six matches out of eight for Ulinzi Stars, and that gives me the confidence to face our opponents in the national team.”

Motian missed Ulinzi Stars’ 2-0 victory over AFC Leopards last week, while on national duty and was also absent for their 1-0 loss to KCB on September 29. Before joining Ulinzi Stars this season, he played for FKF Division Two side Kahawa FC.

In the national team camp, Motian will reunite with Gor Mahia defender Rooney Onyango and striker John Avire, with whom he won the Kenya Secondary Schools football title in 2015 at Passenga High School.

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has also called up Rising Stars captain Amos Wanjala, who is making his senior team debut as part of a strategy to integrate younger players into the squad. Rising Stars goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala was included in the squad for Kenya’s first leg Chantie against South Sudan, emphasising Firat’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.

Wanjala skippered the under-20 team as they sealed their spot in the 2025 Afcon U-20 finals after finishing second during the regional qualifiers held in Tanzania last month.

Cameroon lead the group with 10 points, followed by Zimbabwe with eight. Kenya is third with four points, while Namibia, despite high expectations, has not won a match. Kenya must win both upcoming fixtures to secure qualification, as only the top two teams from the 12 qualifying group progress to the finals in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Harambee Stars last featured in the continental showpiece in 2019 when the finals were held in Egypt. 

Apart from Cameroon, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso,  Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Senegal and Morocco are through to the finals. 

SQUAD 

Goalkeepers: Byrne Odhiambo, Faruk Shikhalo, Ian Otieno.

Defenders: Daniel Anyembe, Amos Wanjala, Amos Nondi, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Charles Momanyi, Eric Ouma, Abud Omar.

Midfielders: Anthony Akumu, Marvin Nabwire, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Richard Odada, Austine Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Alfred Scriven, Leshan Mootian, Adam Wilson.

Forwards: Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, John Avire.