Kenya faces Burundi for AFCON U20 spot in CECAFA semis
Kenya's Rising Stars will look to secure a spot in next year’s Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Burundi in the CECAFA qualifiers semifinal on Friday evening at the Azam Complex Stadium in Tanzania.
Kenya's Rising Stars are set to face Burundi in the CECAFA U20 qualifiers semifinal on Friday evening at Tanzania’s Azam Complex Stadium. The match, which kicks off at 1900 EAT, will determine who advances to next year’s Under 20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Kenya topped Pool A with 10 points after going unbeaten in the group stage, making them the favorites against a Burundi team that finished second in Pool B. The match will follow the other semifinal between hosts Tanzania and Uganda, set for a 1500 EAT start.
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The two winners from these semifinal clashes will secure their spots in the 2025 U20 AFCON, with the tournament venue yet to be announced.
Kenya, coming off impressive 4-0 wins against Djibouti and Sudan, is aiming for their first appearance in the new-format U20 AFCON. Their only previous participation was in the 1979 African Youth Championship. Notably, Kenya had the tournament's second-best scoring record and a strong defense, conceding just one goal in their group matches.
Burundi, meanwhile, managed two wins in their group but suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Uganda. Ahead of the match, Kenya’s head coach Salim Babu expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing the players’ determination to qualify. “We have been together with these players even at the U18 level, and they are hungry to qualify,” Babu told CECAFA Online.
Burundi’s coach Gustave Niyonkuru, who also led their women’s team in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, acknowledged Kenya's strength but stressed that his team is ready for the challenge.
Kenya will rely on top scorers Kelvin Wangaya and Aldrine Kibet in attack, while Burundi looks to Christophe Ndayikengurukiye and Ramazani Hakizimana to lead their charge for an upset.
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