History as Rising Stars qualify for 2025 AFCON
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 18.10.24. | 21:01
The Kenyan boys needed a flawless second half to eliminate Burundi and at the same time, secure ticket to next year's tournament
The national U20 football team, Rising Stars, have sealed a ticket to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals following their convincing 4-0 win over Burundi in the semifinals of the CECAFA qualifiers at the Azam Sports Complex.
The Kenyan boys needed to beat Burundi in the semis to join Tanzania in representing the East Africa region in next year's tournament, which will consist of 12 teams.
Earlier on, Tanzania had eliminated pre-tournament favourites Uganda 2-1 in the first semifinal staged at the same venue, booking a place in the AFCON in the process.
Stars will face Tanzania in the final on Sunday in a match that will see the two sides face off in the tournament for the second time having clashed in the opening match of the showpiece.
Match Report
Less than a week before Stars crossed the border to Tanzania, assistant coach Anthony Akhulia revealed that the team was drawing inspiration from the U17 girls' team, in its quest for a place in the AFCON.
The U17 girls' team, commonly known as the Rising Starlets, became the first Kenyan football team to qualify for the World Cup and are currently flying the flag high in the Dominican Republic where the finals are being held.
True to Akhulia's promise, the team has delivered a ticket to the AFCON and on top of that, given Kenyan football enthusiasts a fresh breath of air given how they have been thrashing something the senior team has been struggling to do.
Against Burundi, the odds were in favour of Salim Babu's charges but, they would soon learn that Burundi were no pushovers as they managed to frustrate Kenya to a barren draw in the first half.
Kenya dominated and created clear-cut chances but getting the ball past Ramadhan Ndikumana proved futile as the custodian put in a man-of-the-match performance to deny the spirited Stars.
Stars played with more intent after restarting with their efforts paying off with the opener in the 52nd minute when Lawrence Okoth tapped in from close range.
There was no stopping Kenya after the opener as they did not give Burundi much time to reorganise themselves as Hassan Beja doubled the lead in the 66th minute thanks to his pace.
Three minutes later Aldrine Kibet added the third goal for Kenya after piercing through the Burundian defence before slotting the ball past the well-exposed Ndikumana.
The goal saw the Nastic Sports Academy striker take his tally to four goals in the tournament, putting him in prime position to clinch the 'Golden Boot'.
Louis Ingavi rose from the bench to net the fourth goal for Kenya and his first in the tournament in the 90+3rd minute.
Stars have conceded a goal so far in the tournament and will hope to keep a clean sheet in the final and enable Ibrahim Wanzala to scoop the 'Golden Glove'.
