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Sofapaka coach Ezekiel Akwana has heaped praise on the former Kibera Black Stars who once trained with Scottish giants Rangers, revealing why Kenya may have the next-big thing on their hands.
Sofapaka interim coach Ezekiel Akwana has earmarked one of his players whom he believes is good enough to make an impact for the Kenya U23 team.
Kenya recently sent a team of mostly U23 players to the 2024 COSAFA Cup, where they finishing second in their group with six points from a possible nine and narrowly missed out on the semi-finals.
Most players had the opportunity to show what they could do. Over the last eight months, only one Sofapaka player Baron Ochieng has been part of the youth setups, elevating him into a professional, with a move to Sweden now imminent.
However, Akwana believes Andre Kalama, a 2023 off-season signing from Kibera Black Stars, deserves a chance in the U23 setup, revealing the qualities that will make him have a breakthrough season next year.
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“Andre Kalama has a lot of potential and I believe he should be in the U23 national team setup,” Akwana told members of the press after Sofapaka secured their safety from the drop last Sunday.
“He just completed his first season with us and this I think was only his third start. The way he has been training, we have honestly been astounded and he deserved his chance.
"However young a player is, if he is able to impress, we will give him as many opportunities as we can. They need to show what they can do.”
Kalama is a left winger who is excellent at creating one-on-one situations from the flank, as well as providing width. His gametime was sporadic due to the seniority of Darius Msagha, who has been linked with moves to Kenya Police, Bandari and Tusker.
Next season, he will be expected to have a more prominent role in the team as he aims at becoming the next star developed at Sofapaka to make good on his potential, especially with a transfer ban imposed on the club and the necessity to blood in youngsters.
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