Thika, Kenya – April 4, 2025
Kenya U20 and Al Nasr U23 attacking midfielder Elly Owande Awino made an instant impact upon his return to the national setup, scoring in Kenya’s 3-1 victory over Police Youth in a friendly match played today at the Mpesa Foundation Grounds in Thika.
The 19-year-old arrived in the country just a day earlier and was swiftly slotted into the match squad. Owande wasted no time making an impact, finding the back of the net in a convincing performance that also saw Kevin Wangaya and Lawrence Ouma get on the scoresheet for the Rising Stars.
The match was part of Kenya’s preparations for the upcoming 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be held in Egypt. Kenya has been drawn into Group C alongside continental giants Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. The Rising Stars will kick off their campaign against Sierra Leone on May 1, before facing Zambia and defending champions Senegal in what is expected to be a highly competitive group stage.
Owande, who currently plies his trade with Dubai-based Al Nasr SC, missed last year’s qualifiers after completing a high-profile transfer from FKF National Super League side Migori Youth FC to Dubai’s Al Nasr SC, where the club opted to retain him during the qualification window. Despite the absence, he remains a familiar face in Kenya’s youth national teams.
He was instrumental in Kenya’s campaign at the U20 Four Nations Tournament in Malawi, where he bagged a brace against Zimbabwe. He also featured for Kenya’s U23 side at the 2024 COSAFA tournament, gaining valuable experience against older opposition.
Owande’s rise began during the CECAFA U18 Championship in December 2023, where he scored on his debut against Sudan and provided 2 assists along the way to help Kenya reach the finals. The Junior Stars eventually settled for second place after a narrow defeat to Uganda in Kisumu.
A naturally gifted left-footed winger with flair and vision, Elly Owande continues to be a crucial part of Kenya’s youth football development pipeline, and his return is a significant boost to coach Salim Babu’s AFCON-bound squad.
