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The defender seems to have been disappointed by being snubbed for Kenya’s friendlies against Qatar and South Sudan but he is keeping hope alive
Orlando City defender Nabilai Kibunguchy has not lost hope of featuring for Kenya after being snubbed by Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat for this month’s friendly matches against Qatar and South Sudan.
Born in California and raised just south of Sacramento all his life, Kibunguchy is the son of a California Department of Transportation engineer and a nanny who emigrated separately from Kenya to the United States when they were teenagers to attend college and met in their new country.
The defender just recently secured a transfer to Orlando City SC on a short-term agreement from Orlando City B.
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10:23 - 06.09.2023
STARS ABROAD Kenyan defender to rub shoulders with Lionel Messi after securing MLS move
The 25-year-old has secured a short-term deal with Major Soccer League (MLS) outfit Orlando City.
Kibunguchy, who first visited Kenya in December 2021, has dual citizenship which makes him eligible to play for Harambee Stars. He made two appearances for the US Under-19 team in 2016 but he is itching to turn out for Kenya going by his latest social media post.
“I will play for my national team one day…speaking it into existence,” Kibunguchy said through a social media post, accompanying it with a Kenyan flag.
Kibunguchy has appeared in 23 matches, making 22 starts and playing the second-most minutes of the team with 1,944 minutes played for Orlando City B so far this season since joining the club at the beginning of the year.
The defender has scored four goals, including a brace in the club’s 2-2 shootout victory over NYCFC II. Kibunguchy has also manned the Lions’ backline helping the club earn three clean sheets in the 2023 campaign.
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18:45 - 25.04.2023
STARS ABROAD From trialist to triumph: Kenyan defender delighted after scoring brace in the US
The defender started out as a trialist for the club back in March.
Orlando City B signed Kibunguchy prior to the 2023 season. The defender was originally drafted by Minnesota United FC in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft as the No 18 overall pick out of UC Davis.
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