Top 50 most promising Kenyan Under 23 players [Part One]

The Football Kenya Federation Premier League is littered with young talents, a good number already making a name for themselves while others are waiting on the wings for an opportunity.

The list of ‘Top 50 most promising Kenyan players Under 23’ will be a five part series of articles for the next five Mondays to highlight the list of future prospects in no particular order of ranking as the list is randomised.

Most of the young players struggle for minutes at big clubs and their form comes and goes and with the country lacking a junior league since the end of the Kenyan Premier League (Under 20), the young players need highlighting as they are our future stars.

1. Daniel Otieno (Mathare United) 

The 22-year-old has thrust himself into the limelight this season despite featuring for a number of top flight clubs including Nairobi City Stars, Muhoroni Youth and Sony Sugar.

Otieno popularly known as van Persie could stake a claim for the name as his lethal left foot has already notched four goals thus far in the league and is Mathare United’s top scorer. 

2. Henry Meja (Tusker)

The teenage sensation needs no introduction after setting the league ablaze with his predatory instincts inside the box that has seen him challenge for the golden boot with eight goals thus far.

The former Arsenal Mirembe forward is enjoying a spectacular debut season and despite not completing half a season he is already inline to win the Rookie of the Year Award.

3. Bixente Otieno (Wazito FC)

The custodian made a name for himself as he made his Premier league debut while still at the tender age of 16 joining Gianluigi Donnarumma as one of the youngest keepers to make their debuts.

Despite falling off the pecking order at Wazito with the signings of Peter Odhiambo and Levis Opiyo Bixente is one for the future at the club. 

4. Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards)

The versatile fullback has a number of dimensions to his game owing to the fact that he can use his right and left feet with ease. 

He can be deployed in the attacking midfielder position, left or right back and has displayed a higher level of maturity when playing left back at Ingwe.

5. Boniface Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks)

Onyango is another talent rolled out from the Kakamega High School conveyor belt and has been a vital cog in the well oiled Kariobangi Sharks machine.

The defender can play anywhere in the back four and is a dead ball specialist with a hammer foot capable of stinging the palms of a goalkeeper from anywhere on the pitch.

6. John Macharia (Gor mahia)

This is another of the players who needs little introduction and after his career was off to a blistering start, things have sort of slowed down for Macharia but he seems to be back on track.

He has been trusted by Manuel Vaz Pinto in a number of Gor Mahia matches but being a natural number 10 he has been forced to play on the wing as Kenneth Muguna is undisposable.

7. Joshua Nyatini (Posta Rangers)

The youngster raised a number of eyebrows when he was selected in the KPL All Stars team lost to the then English Premier League side Hull City.

He seems to have rediscovered his mojo at Posta Rangers after leaving Premier League money bags Wazito features mostly as an attacking midfielder.

8. Alex Onchwari (Zoo FC)

The defender has been the lighting light in Zoo FCs otherwise dark season, marshalling the leaky defense well and if it were not for him the Kericho-based club could have been bidding top flight status good bye earlier on in the season.

The centre back was part of the squad that traveled to Spain as part of the Chapa Dimba players back in 2019.

9. David Owino (KCB)

The wingback earned the name Messi playing in the number 10 role earlier on in his career but has been converted into a full back who can play anywhere on the left flank.

He has already earned a number of Harambee Stars and seems to be above experienced international Aboud Omar in the race for left back positions.

10. James Mazembe (Kariobangi Sharks)

Mazembe is finally showing flashes of the form that earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 2017 Secondary School Games.

The left winger currently tops the assists charts thus far this season with eight and has formed a formidable partnership with Eric Kapaito.