The National under 20 soccer team, led by coach Vince Ombiji jets out this evening (Thursday) for Sudan [5pm Kenya time] aboard Kenya Airways ahead of this weekends first leg first round of the 2011 African qualifiers to be held in Libya.

The team comprising of 25 people will be led by Mombasa based Mohamed Kheri who will be the head of delegation. The team held their final training session yesterday (Wednesday) at the Kenyatta University where officials expressed confidence of picking all the maximum points in Khartoum. The match will be played on Saturday with the team is expected back on Sunday.

The winner between Kenya and Sudan will meet the winner of the other tie pitting South Africa against Lesotho. The World Under 20 National soccer Championship will be held in August 2012 in Venezuela while the Africa Under 20 finals will be held in Libya mid July next year. Ghana are the defending Champions.

“The players are in good shape and the morale in the camp is high. We are confident we can get a good result against Sudan” noted assistant coach Ibrahim Kibunge. The second leg of the encounter will be played in Nairobi on August 7th. Kenya got a bye to the second round after Eritrea pulled out citing financial constraints. Official’s who will be travelling with the squad this evening include coach Vince Ombiji, Assistants Rishadi Shedu, Ibrahim Kigonge, Team Manager Bonface Kariuki, Team Physician Dr. Joseph Ndaba, and physiotherapist Dr. Ndaba.

Traveling Squad:

Goalkeepers: Caleb Otieno (KCB) & Musa Mohammed (Congo United)

Defenders: Milton Milimo (AFC Leopards), Charles Odette (Mahakama), Anthony Okumu (Gor Mahia), Silas Shitote (Sony Sugar), Joseph Kuria (Thika United), Sostenas Idah (Coast United) & Wilex Oyando (Al Hilal ,Sudan)

Midfielders: Innocent Mutiso, Jacob Keli (Mathare United), Elly Asieche (Bidco United), Abdul Malik (Gor Mahia), Ali Hassan Mwijuma & Moses Arita (Thika United)

Forwards: Edwin Oduor, Victor Majid, Joshua Abdul, Edwin Mwaura (Posta) & Daniel Mwaura (MYSA)

UMBRO SA and the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) have just finalised a deal whereby UMBRO will be the technical sponsor for all referee kits and off-field apparel for the next 3 seasons. This deal follows similar UMBRO sponsorships in South Africa with Free State Stars, Vasco da Gama and Mpumalanga Black Aces.

“We are so excited about this deal with KPL,” says Sales Manager Donovan Bell who, along with UMBRO MD Mark Byrne, has been working with Frank Okoth, Technical & Logistics Officer from KPL to structure this partnership. “Hosting the FIFA World Cup this year has done wonders to promote African football – and we would like to continue advancing football in Africa – starting off with supplying quality product to the referees”.

This deal will involve kitting out all match officials from KPL in UMBRO’s Football Wardrobe and Teamwear ranges, which have been developed from true football insights to service the needs of active players – both on and off the field.

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Gor Mahia FC has landed an invitation to participate in a four club international tournament to be played in Abidjan Cote d’ Ivoire between September 14th and 20th 2010. This is a fully paid trip for a contingent of 25 organised by Santa Cruz FC of Cote d’Ivoire. The other two clubs invited are Clube Cruzeiro Belo horizonte of Brazil and FC Ashford Town of UK.

Elated Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier could not hide his joy saying that the invitation could not have come at a better time than this following the rich vein of form the club is currently enjoying. Two weeks ago, Gor Mahia drubbed Chemelil Sugar 4-1 before dismissing the then leaders of the Kenyan Premier league Tusker FC 2-0 a week later in a match watched by one of the biggest crowd only witnessed in Kenyan soccer of 80s.

AFC leopards has appointed Robert Matano as the new head Coach for the club for a period of six months. Matano who led Sofapaka to the KPL glory last year in their first ever appearance has been a free agent for the last three months having left the current champions.

He joins the club following the resignation of Chris Makokha who stepped down due to pressure from fans. Immediately after his appointment, Matano appointed Dino Kitavi as his assistant and Razak Siwa as the goalkeeper trainer.

With the club currently in position, Matano faces a difficult task of not only keeping Ingwe away from Relegation but also raising the club to title contention standards which is what the fans want.

Tony Lidonde remains as the Team Manager. The club also announced that the position of Operations Manager formerly held by Gilbert Selebwa has been scrapped.