NAIROBI, KENYA – Nineteen-year-old Aldrine Kibet is living a dream he scheduled for 2027. The Celta Vigo attacking midfielder received his first-ever senior national team call-up in late October 2025, a milestone he admitted he hadn't expected for another two years. His inclusion in the Harambee Stars squad for the November international friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal marks a significant moment for both the player and a nation preparing to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

“My goal was to be in the national team by 2027, ready for the AFCON, but now it has come even earlier," Kibet stated during a training session at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 (EAT), before the team's departure to Turkey. “I did not expect it to come this soon... I am happy it came early.”

The call-up, announced by Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy on October 28, 2025, is the latest chapter in a rapid ascent for the Baringo County native. His journey into the international spotlight began just over two years ago, during the 2023 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) games. Captaining St. Anthony's Boys High School, Kitale, Kibet delivered a stunning performance, scoring 25 goals and providing 27 assists to lead his team to a sixth national title.

From Kitale to La Liga

Kibet’s exceptional talent at the schools' tournament did not go unnoticed. In September 2023, he moved to Spain to join the prestigious Nastic Sports Academy in Tarragona, an institution known for developing young talent. His development there was swift, honing the technical and mental aspects of his game in a highly competitive European environment.

His performances for the academy and with Kenya's youth teams, including a Golden Boot-winning display at the CECAFA U-18 Championship in December 2023, attracted scouts from top-tier clubs. In July 2025, La Liga side RC Celta de Vigo secured his signature on a four-year contract in a deal reportedly worth €6 million (approximately KSh 900 million). The club confirmed on July 16, 2025, that Kibet would initially be integrated into their reserve team, Celta Fortuna, with a clear development pathway to the senior squad.

A Symbol for AFCON 2027

Kibet's accelerated timeline resonates deeply with Kenya's own ambitions as it prepares to co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the first time the tournament will be held in the CECAFA region since 1976. The joint 'Pamoja' bid was confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with Kenyan President William Ruto assuring CAF that infrastructure, including Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums, would be upgraded.

The young midfielder is now seen as a potential cornerstone of the Harambee Stars squad that will carry the nation's hopes on home soil. His early integration into the senior team provides crucial time to gain experience and build chemistry with the squad. Coach McCarthy's decision to include him and other emerging players signals a strategic move to build a formidable team for the continental showpiece.

For Kibet, the path is clear. Having achieved his national team dream ahead of schedule, the focus now shifts to making his mark. “First thing I want to do is to make my debut and score goals," he said, outlining his immediate ambitions. His journey from the school grounds of Kitale to the professional leagues of Spain and now to the Harambee Stars serves as a powerful inspiration and a beacon of hope for Kenyan football's future.