Kenya’s Rising Stars began their AFCON U20 Cecafa Qualifiers campaign on a high note with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their Group A opener. The match, held at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, showcased Kenya’s resilience as they secured their first three points of the competition.
Kenya took the lead in the 23rd minute, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Kevin Wanganya. The midfielder unleashed a superb free-kick from just outside the box, which sailed past the Tanzanian goalkeeper, igniting celebrations from the Kenyan bench. Despite creating more opportunities and dominating possession, Kenya went into halftime with only a 1-0 advantage.
The second half saw Kenya extend their lead in the 67th minute when Andres Odhiambo delivered a stunning long-range shot, doubling the Rising Stars’ advantage. The powerful strike left Tanzania’s defense helpless and brought Kenya closer to victory.
However, the hosts responded swiftly. In the 76th minute, Tanzania’s Rahim Mkinyange found the back of the net, narrowing the deficit to 2-1. As Tanzania pushed for an equalizer, Kenya’s defense held firm under pressure, securing the narrow but crucial victory.
With the win, Kenya temporarily sits atop Group A, awaiting the result of the second group match to confirm their standing after the first round of fixtures. The Rising Stars will now shift their focus to their upcoming clash against Rwanda, scheduled for October 10, 2024, at the KMC Stadium. The match kicks off at 4:00 p.m., and Kenya will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a top spot in the group.
Kenya’s strong start in the qualifiers has raised hopes of advancing to the next stage, with the team showing both attacking prowess and defensive resilience in their opening encounter.
