Talanta Hela: Sports CS Ababu Namwamba Optimistic of Future Talents in Kenyan Football

• Ababu Namwamba expresses delight over the success of the Talanta Hela Project
• The selected teams are set for an elite training camp in Europe, Spain
• CS Namwamba has outlined a strategic plan for Kenya's football ahead of AFCON

Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has expressed excitement over the promising talent showcased in the Talanta Hela U19 Inter-County football tournament.

This is as Kenya gear up for the MICFootball, International Young Football Tournament. in Spain next spring.

Ninety talented youngsters, scouted by Kenyan football legends, including Tusker coach Robert Matano, Kenya Police assistant Salim Babu, and former Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi, have been selected for the Kenya U17 and U20 teams.

“I Am delighted that the talent progression pipeline we have established right from the school ecosystem, through the Talanta Hela U19 Inter-County Football Tournament is bearing fruits, even faster than anticipated,” CS Namwamba said, as reported by Pulse Sports.

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The teams, comprising 50 U17s (25 boys and 25 girls) and 40 U20s (20 boys and 20 girls), were chosen after the conclusion of the tournament's finals on Jamhuri Day, December 12, 2023.

Namwamba envisions a bright future for Kenyan football, stressing the success of the talent progression pipeline from the school ecosystem through the Talanta Hela initiative.

“We have teams that genuinely reflect the face of Kenya, identified fairly, openly, and competitively from the grassroots across the length and breadth of our country, from Todonyang in the North to Loitoktok in the South, Bamba in the East to Budalangi in the West. Bottom-Up,” CS Namwamba said in a Twitter post.

The selected teams are slated for an elite training camp and participation in the MICFootball, International Young Football Tournament, in Spain next spring.

The goal is to develop a formidable Harambee Stars team for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya is co-hosting, and the 2030 World Cup.

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The selection process involved scouts from Nastic Sports Academy in Spain and Florida-based Monteverde Academy.

Austin Odongo Talanta Hela product

Sports Brief previously reported when Edward Manoah, head coach of Vihiga County U-19, commended his team for securing third spot in the just-concluded Talanta Hela U-19 competition at Nyayo National Stadium.

Vihiga County clinched top spot by defeating Nakuru 3-2 after a 4-2 post-match penalty loss to Kisumu County in the semi-finals.

In the quarterfinals, Vihiga triumphed over West Pokot with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory in a thrilling 4-4 draw, with Austin Odongo displaying remarkable prowess.