Junior Stars Forward Nathan Acholla Sets Ambitious Goal After Making William Muluya’s U17 AFCON Qualifying Squad

Kenya U17 forward Nathan Acholla has expressed his excitement and determination after being named in William Muluya’s final squad for the upcoming CECAFA U17 AFCON Qualifiers in Ethiopia.

The core of the squad mostly comprises of students who shone at the KSSSA championships.

The Junior Stars will compete in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Rwanda as they seek one of two available slots for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

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Acholla, who plays as a forward, described the selection process as “very strenuous” but rewarding, highlighting the effort and discipline required to make the final 25-man team.

“It took a lot of work and dedication. We had about a week of training and two test matches,” Acholla said.

“Making the final squad means everything to me — it’s a dream for every 17-year-old to represent their country. My family and friends were over the moon.”

The young striker, brimming with confidence, has already set his sights on finding the back of the net when the tournament kicks off later this month.

“Of course, I’m a forward, so in the tournament I’d like to score a goal or two,” he added with a smile.

Acholla also revealed that the team’s collective ambition goes beyond individual glory, emphasizing Kenya’s desire to qualify for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations and eventually the U17 World Cup.

“As a team, we want to go far. Last year, the team didn’t qualify for AFCON, so this time we want to change that. Qualifying would be huge — it’s the road to the U17 World Cup, which is the biggest stage at this level.”

The youngster credited the coaching staff’s motivation and structure for instilling a strong sense of discipline and focus within the camp.

“A lot of it comes from self-drive — we all want to achieve our goal of qualifying for AFCON. The coaches push us, we push ourselves. We’re representing Kenya, and that alone motivates us to give our best,” he said.

The Junior Stars have been in camp for six days as they fine-tune their preparations before heading to Ethiopia. 

Kenya will open its campaign against Somalia on Tuesday, 18 November (4:00 p.m.), before facing Rwanda on Friday, 21 November (1:00 p.m.), South Sudan on Monday, 24 November (4:00 p.m.), and hosts Ethiopia on Thursday, 27 November (3:00 p.m.).

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the finalists earning CECAFA’s two ticketsto the continental showpiece.

The qualifiers present a crucial platform for the young players to gain international experience and showcase their talent to scouts and clubs across Africa.