Rising Stars goalkeeper hoping to hit top form as AFCON U20 beckons
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 16.02.25. | 07:58
Wanzala last played a competitive match on 20 October last year
Rising Stars goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala is silently working hard behind the scenes to secure playing time in the Mozzart Bet Cup, as hopes to be in good shape ahead of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
Wanzala has not played competitive football, since October last year, partly due to a recurring injury on his left knee and the stiff competition for playing time at his club, Kakamega Homeboyz.
His last competitive game was the AFCON U20 qualifier final, at the CECAFA region, on 20 October last year against Tanzania at the Kinondoni Municipal Council (KMC) Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
While Kenya celebrated qualifying for AFCON, despite the 2-1 loss to Tanzania in the final, the match had a sour ending for Wanzala as he picked up a knee injury that kept him out of action until mid-January.
Having resumed training, Wanzala says he is working his socks off in training in a bid to secure game time in the cup that kicks off on 22 February.
The young goalkeeper avers that the competition will offer him a platform to rediscover his form ahead of the AFCON scheduled to run between 26 April to 18 May in Ivory Coast.
Kenya will face defending champions Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Sierra Leone in Group C of the tournament, whose top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
"I have been working hard since the day I was cleared to resume training after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. I aim to secure minutes in the Mozzart Bet Cup and help the team reclaim the title. Getting minutes between now and April will play a significant role in rediscovering my form," he said.
Wanzala has been Stars' first-choice goalkeeper and is part of the team's 'leadership group'.
The former Mayenje Santos goalkeeper was named the best goalkeeper in the qualifiers, and hopes to enrich his profile more should coach Salim Babu include him in the final team.
Wanzala was also voted the best goalkeeper during a U-18 CECAFA tournament held in December 2023 in Kisumu.
