Harambee Stars midfielder Aldrine Kibet has received his first-ever call-up to the senior national team, a milestone that comes earlier than he had envisioned.
The 19-year-old, who plays for Celta Vigo’s reserve team in Spain’s Second Division, is set to feature in international friendlies against Equatorial Guinea on November 14 and Senegal on November 18 in Antalya, Turkey.
Speaking at Nyayo National Stadium during the team’s final training session, Kibet described the call-up as “excitement beyond belief.”
“I did not expect it to come this soon. I was aiming for 2027, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, but I am thrilled it happened earlier,” he said.
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Kibet’s rise from school football to the national stage has been meteoric. Born on June 13, 2006, in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, he attended Poror Primary and Mama Ngina in Nakuru before moving to St. Anthony’s Boys High School in Kitale. There, he led the school to the 2023 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) national title, scoring 25 goals and providing 27 assists in a single season.
His performance earned him a scholarship at Nastic Sports Academy in Tarragona, Spain, under the Talanta Hela programme, and later a move to Celta Vigo’s reserve team (Celta Fortuna) in July 2025 in a deal reportedly worth Ksh897 million (€6 million). Kibet continues to develop his technical skills in Spain, with ambitions to break into Celta Vigo’s first team.
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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, a former Celta Vigo player, advised him to learn Spanish to integrate smoothly into the team, guidance Kibet says has been invaluable. The midfielder expressed gratitude for the support from Kenyans, who he says motivate him to work harder every day.
Kibet now joins Gor Mahia winger Sharif Musa, 23, who is also excited about his return to the national squad. Both players aim to bring their club form to the Harambee Stars as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania.
By Mercy Kokwon
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