Kenyan players fly out for trials in Egypt

Mannabay Bay Kenya director Mary Justus (centre in white T-Shirt) with the four players set for trials with Egyptian club Al Gaish at a Nakuru Hotel over the weekend. [Ben Ahenda, Standard

  Four Kenyan youngsters from Nakuru and Kajiado counties have left the country for Cairo, Egypt to take part in football trials. 

They are Brian Mathenge and Dete Onyango of Bahati's Gunevra FC and Isaiah Partisau of Purko FC and Denzel Omondi of Viking FC, both of Kajiado County. 

They'll have the trials with Al Gaish Mandala Football Club that plays in the second division of the Egyptian Premier League. 

The quartet is determined to make it to the professional ranks at their early ages with all of them aged between 18 to 20 years. 

Their trip was facilitated by the Mannabay Foundation-Kenya, who hosted the quartet for a farewell dinner at a Nakuru Hotel over the weekend before taking a flight to the Northern African country. 

"It's a celebration of purpose, determination, and the unbreakable spirit of our youth. Our boys are headed to Cairo, Egypt, for professional football trials, and we couldn't be prouder," said Mary Justus, one of the facilitators. 

She said the journey has been built on vision, sacrifice, and relentless commitment from local grassroots tournaments that has elevated the four players to international trials. 

"We have broken barriers and proved that talent from Kenya can shine on the world stage. The Mannabay Foundation has been the backbone of this journey, serving as a lifeline—nurturing, financing, mentoring, and walking with our young people in pursuit of greatness," she added. 

Dete Onyango said they were determined to prove that Kenya has enough talent that have ability to feature in the competitive global football leagues and at the World Cup. 

"Getting to the world stage is a journey and we are determined to prove to the world that Kenya has enough talent," Onyango told Standard Sports. 

He said they'll not let Kenyans down at the Egyptian trials. 

The development comes at a time Kenya's national team, Harambee Stars inspired Kenyan fans through their qualification into the quarterfinals of the ongoing Africa Nations Championships (Chan) after two victories against Democratic Republic of Congo and Morocco and a draw against Angola that enabled them to lead in their group with seven points. 

Justus said she'll continue to support talented footballers to achieve their ambitions through the foundation.

Kenyan players fly out for trials in Egypt