Amos Wanjala is eager to make the most of his first major opportunity with the Harambee Stars after earning a place in Benni McCarthy’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The 20-year-old centre-back, who plays for Valencia CF’s reserve side VCF Mestalla in Spain, is part of the 24-man squad preparing to face Eritrea on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium. The Group D match kicks off at 4 pm.
Although Kenya have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Afcon Cup as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the qualifiers provide competitive fixtures for McCarthy’s side as the team builds towards the tournament.
Harambee Stars are set to report to camp today as they begin preparations for Saturday’s AFCON 2027 qualifier against Eritrea. For the defender, the call-up is another significant step in a career that has taken him from school football in Kenya to the Spanish game and now the senior national team.
“I’m very happy. It’s a great opportunity for me to go there with the Kenya jersey. Thanks to God,” Wanjala said.
His rise began to attract attention after he captained St Anthony’s Boys High School, Kitale, to the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football title. That success earned him a scholarship to Nastic Sports Academy in Tarragona, Spain, where he continued his development.
He later signed for Athletic Club Torrellano and gained senior experience in Spain’s Tercera Federación before joining Valencia in January 2026 on a contract running until June 2028.
Initially assigned to VCF Mestalla, he was later called up to Valencia’s first-team squad for pre-season training in July and made his unofficial friendly debut.
The defender has also carried leadership responsibilities at international youth level, captaining Kenya’s Under-18 side to a runners-up finish at the 2023 Cecafa U18 Championship before leading the Rising Stars to historic qualification for the 2025 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
His latest call-up is another chance to build on that experience, but he is cognisant of the fact that selection is only the beginning.
“It’s another step for me, for the team, and not just for me, but for my teammates too,” he said. “That’s why I have to keep working hard and take advantage of the opportunity.”
The transition from youth football to the senior national team comes as McCarthy continues to assess his options ahead of the 2027 continental finals.
For Wanjala, the prospect of playing at an Africa Cup of Nations tournament is already an additional motivation. He wants to remain focused on his development and be ready when the opportunity comes.
“Yes, it’s very special. I have to concentrate for next year. I have a good tournament in Africa, the Africa Cup,” he said.
The defender is aware that the standard required at international level will demand continued work, especially as he competes for a place in a squad comprising established players. “That’s why I have to go there with everything and take advantage of it,” Wanjala said.
His time in Spain has also exposed him to a professional environment where patience and hard work are essential. Having progressed through the ranks at club and international level, he says working alongside professionals remains an important part of his development. “For me, it’s always good to work hard,” he said. “It’s best to work with professional people and keep going.”
Wanjala is now looking to take each opportunity as it comes, with Saturday’s meeting against Eritrea potentially providing another important stage in his development. “And little by little, we’ll see what happens,” he said.
