Kenya begin quest for elusive U-20 Afcon qualification
Kenya Under-20 forward Vincent Wasambo reacts during their friendly match against Gor Mahia on March 29, 2018 at Camp Toyoyo grounds. The Under-20 side tackles their Randan counterparts in an Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Machakos on April 1, 2018. PHOTO | FKF |
What you need to know:
- It will be Stanley Okumbi’s first outing with the team since his demotion from Harambee Stars coaching job last week.
- The return leg will be played on April 20 in Kigali.
- The federation has allowed free entry of fans to the stadium for Sunday’s encounter.
A tough task awaits Kenya’s junior side, dubbed Rising Stars by FKF, as they begin their quest to qualify for the 2019 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a home match against Rwanda at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.
It will be Stanley Okumbi’s first outing with the team since his demotion from Harambee Stars coaching job last week.
The return leg will be played on April 20 in Kigali.
The federation has allowed free entry of fans to the stadium for Sunday’s encounter.
It will be the seventh meeting between the two sides.
Rwanda’s Junior Wasps hold the better record against their hosts having won thrice, lost once with two draws.
Rwanda won 2-1 in August 2008 and registered an identical 1-0 wins in August 2006. The two draws were a 2-2 in August 2008 and 0-0 in October 1999, the latter staged at the City Stadium.
WINNER TO FACE ZAMBIA
Kenya’s single win (1-0) came in September 2010 at Asmara Stadium in Eritrea.
The aggregate winner of the first round faces defending champions Zambia in the second round slated for May 11 and 13.
The final qualifying round will be played in July with the winners booking tickets to next year’s finals in Niger.
Kenya has never qualified for this biennial competition since its inception in 1979. Their best run was a first round appearance that year.
The match also sees Kenya return to action after being disqualified from the 2017 Under-20 Afcon qualifiers for fielding ineligible players against Sudan in their first round, first leg 1-1 draw in March 2016.
The team’s last assignments were friendly matches against Senegal and Egypt away early last year.
The juniors, then under John Kamau went down 4-0 and 2-0 to Senegal in Dakar before playing to a 2-2 draw away to Egypt in February 2017.
Okumbi will rely on winger Musa Masika, younger brother of China-based Ayub Timbe, striker Richard Odanda, fresh from trials with Italian side Juventus’s youth team and Kariobangi Sharks’ Vincent Wasambo in the hunt for goals.
"We have had good preparations going into the match. We hope that this then will translate into a positive result not only for us but for the millions of Kenyans who will be supporting the team," said Okumbi.
The Junior Wasps, who jetted in on Friday morning with an 18-man squad, are being handled by Amavubi Stars assistant coach Vincent Mashami.
