Junior Stars face Uganda in must-win clash for AFCON U17 semifinals spot
By Amina Wako |
Junior Stars face a do-or-die clash against Uganda in the U17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers, with a semifinal spot at stake.
Kenya’s national U17 boys team, the Junior Stars, face a do-or-die encounter against Uganda on Saturday afternoon in their final Group A match of the U-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers. The match, set to take place at Hamz Nakivubo Stadium, will determine Kenya’s fate in the competition.
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The Junior Stars are at the bottom of the group after a narrow 1-0 loss to Tanzania on Wednesday. Uganda, sitting on one point, needs only a draw to progress, while Tanzania has already secured a semifinal spot with four points.
To advance, Kenya must win this high-stakes match, a challenge their coach, Salim Babu, believes his team is ready to tackle. “It was a really great achievement with the U20, and it would be amazing to replicate that with this younger side,” Babu remarked. “I believe we have assembled a strong squad in a short time. The players draw motivation from their compatriots' achievements and aspire to create their own history. We’ll give it our all to reach our goal.”
Only the top two finalists of the tournament will secure places in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17 championship in Morocco next March.
Saturday’s action begins with a Group B curtain-raiser between Sudan and defending champions Somalia, who will battle for second place after losses to South Sudan. The Junior Stars’ pivotal match against Uganda kicks off at 4 PM EAT.
Should Kenya win, they will contest the semifinals on Christmas Eve.
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