'We have to give everything' - Kenya U17 coach ahead of final shot at AFCON qualification

Kenya U17 head coach William Muluya has called on his team to bounce back and make amends for the costly errors that saw them lose to Tanzania in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers, as they prepare to face hosts Ethiopia in the third-place playoff on Tuesday.

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Kenya and Tanzania met at Abebe Bikila Stadium for a place in the final and automatic qualification to next year’s continental tournament. Tanzania entered the match as clear favourites and secured a 3-1 victory, booking their spot in the final where they will meet holders Uganda.

Reflecting on the semifinal defeat, Muluya, who also coaches Kariobangi Sharks, emphasised the need to learn from their errors before facing Ethiopia, who had previously beaten Kenya 1-0 in the group stage.

“We have to correct the mistakes. It is the final 90 minutes we have. Having lost the chance we had, we have to give everything for third place,” the CAF “A” License holder said.

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Muluya singled out a missed penalty by Nicholas Achola in the 12th minute, moments before Tanzania scored the opener, and described the first two goals as largely self-inflicted errors.

“We had an opportunity to score first before they did, but we squandered a penalty. Immediately after, we failed to defend a set piece, and they scored. For me, it is failing to take an opportunity and failing to defend well,” he explained.

“We then went to attack a corner that resulted from a missed chance, and again my defenders lost the ball, leaving us caught once more.”

Kenya managed to pull a goal back seven minutes from time, but Tanzania sealed the win in stoppage time. Muluya attributed the late concession to the risks of committing players forward while chasing the game.

“The second half, we tried to come up a bit stronger towards the end of the game, which happens when you are chasing the game.

We conceded again, and sometimes it happens, you can easily concede five when chasing just one goal,” he noted.

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The coach also explained some of the tactical changes he made during the match, including substitutions up front due to player fatigue.

“We brought in midfielders to help contain their midfield, but again, we took out attackers who were worn out. They had started all of them, and they were the only options we had. There was nothing else we could have done,” Muluya said

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