Celta Vigo sends message to Aldrine Kibet as Kenyan star returns home for Ivory Coast clash

Spanish club Celta Vigo has sent a warm message to Kenyan youngster Aldrine Kibet after the highly rated midfielder returned home for international duty with the Emerging Stars.

Celta Vigo posted a message celebrating Kibet’s return to Kenya as he prepares to represent the country in the crucial 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire at Nyayo National Stadium.

“Hello, Kenya. Our Aldrine Kibet is BACK in the country for the international duty. Best of luck, AK,” the club said via a Facebook post on Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Kibet is expected to be one of Kenya’s key players when the Emerging Stars host the Ivorians on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 in the first leg of the second-round qualifying tie.

The match will kick off at 3:00 pm EAT at Nyayo National Stadium, with Kenya looking to secure an advantage before travelling to Abidjan for the return leg on November 17, 2026.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder returns to the U-23 setup after missing Kenya’s opening-round campaign against Tanzania because of work-permit complications in Spain.

His return is a major boost for coach Anthony Kimani, who will be hoping Kibet’s creativity and experience playing in Spain can help Kenya overcome a technically gifted Côte d’Ivoire side.

Kibet has already established himself as one of Kenya’s most promising young footballers following his move to Celta Vigo. He currently features for Celta Vigo B and has continued to develop within the Spanish club’s system.

The youngster has also represented Kenya at various youth levels, including the U18 and U20 teams, before progressing to the U23 setup and earning senior-team opportunities.

Ahead of Wednesday’s contest, Kibet has called on Kenyan fans to turn up in large numbers and create a strong home atmosphere for the Emerging Stars.

“We have the advantage of playing at home in the first leg, and if the fans turn up in numbers, I think we have a very good opportunity to win the game and take a positive result into the second leg,” Kibet said.

The midfielder has also insisted that Kenya should not be intimidated by Côte d’Ivoire’s reputation in African football.

“It is true that West African teams have a rich football history and tradition, but our focus is on ourselves and how we approach the game. We believe we have the same ability as them. In the past, we have not always managed to demonstrate that, but we are going into this match believing that we can win,” he stated.

Kenya reached the second round after edging Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate. The Emerging Stars won the first leg 4-1 at Nyayo before losing 3-1 in the return fixture in Dar es Salaam.

The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the final qualifying round, where a place at the 2027 U-23 AFCON finals in Egypt will be at stake. The tournament will also serve as Africa’s qualification pathway to the men’s football tournament at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

For Kibet, Wednesday’s match provides another opportunity to showcase his development in Spain while helping Kenya push closer to a historic U-23 AFCON qualification.

And with Celta Vigo publicly backing their “star boy” from afar, Kibet will be hoping to repay that faith with a strong performance in Kenyan colours at Nyayo.

Meanwhile,E merging Stars head coach Anthony Kimani has named his final squad for Kenya’s two-legged, second-round qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire.

Kimani has largely kept the core of the side that navigated past Tanzania in the first round, but will be without two players. Kelly Madada is suspended after picking up two yellow cards, while Joseph Bate is out injured.

Ian Omondi, Jackson Imbiakha, Robinson Musungu, Baron Ochieng, Price Musebe, Wyclliffe Awiko, Telena Ochieng, Emmanuel Erupe

Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Wangaya, Andres Odhiambo, Irad Mshindi, Humphrey Aroko, Oliver Majaka, Jack Munene Steel, Bernard Odhiambo

Brooklyn Kazungu, Lawrence Okoth, Paul Osama, Stephen Omondi, Dancan Odhiambo, Henry Omollo

Regular tickets for the encounter cost Ksh200, while VIP tickets are priced at Ksh1,000.

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