'I Was in Disbelief' - Aldrine Kibet Admits He Was Stunned by Harambee Stars Call-Up Years Ahead of Schedule

Aldrine Kibet has revealed that his first-ever call-up to the Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Equatorial Guinea caught him completely off guard, admitting he needed time to process the news.

The Celta Vigo attacking midfielder became prominent in August 2023 while representing St. Anthony's Boys High School, Kitale, at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Games.

He was instrumental in leading his team to the national title, finishing the tournament with a stunning 25 goals and 27 assists. Aldrine Kibet’s stellar performance secured him a move to Nastic Sports Academy in Spain in 2023.

Internationally, Aldrine Kibet was also a key member of the Kenya U18 team that won silver at the CECAFA U18 championship in November 2023.

He later joined the Kenya U20 team, Rising Stars. In July 2025, his junior career culminated in a major move to Spanish club RC Celta Vigo, where he was initially assigned to the Celta Fortuna (B-team).

Despite a standout rise at the youth level, Aldrine Kibet admitted he never expected to earn a senior national team call-up so soon.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he revealed that while representing Harambee Stars had always been part of his long-term dream, something he imagined happening around 2027, he was stunned to see it become reality far earlier than he ever anticipated.

“I feel so good because this was just a dream, and I’m very happy because I really wanted to represent the country. Right now, I have the opportunity to play for Harambee Stars,” Aldrine Kibet admitted.

“The call-up came earlier than I expected. I was looking forward to playing for Harambee Stars before 2027, but now that it has come early, I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Aldrine Kibet said representing the national team had been his dream since childhood, and his biggest ambition was to one day wear Kenya’s colours.

He explained that the reality of receiving the call-up still felt surreal, especially after a message from the team manager informed him he had been selected.

According to him, the moment left him in disbelief, and he is now eagerly waiting for the chance to make his debut and find the back of the net for Harambee Stars.

“When I was young, I always dreamt about playing football, and my main goal was to play for Kenya. I had always been thinking about it, and now it is here,” Aldrine Kibet said.

“I received a message from the team manager telling me to come play for Kenya, and on that day, I was in disbelief. I’m looking forward to making my debut and scoring goals.”

Despite his early surprise, Aldrine Kibet is now fully focused on proving he belongs at the senior level. The youngster believes the upcoming international fixtures will offer a valuable opportunity to showcase his talent and learn from more experienced teammates.