Football

CECAFA Under-18 final: Kenya’s Junior Stars gear up for intense clash with Uganda Young Cranes

Kenya's Junior Stars Tyrone Kariuki in action against Tanzania in the semi-final of the CECAFA U-18 Championship at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu. (Photo: CECAFA Online/Twitter)

By Sports Reporter | Thursday, December 7, 2023

Coach Babu faces the task of strategising against a formidable Ugandan team boasting young stars from top league teams, including Simon Mukisa, Batiibwe Charise Okello, Mutebi Hakim, and Abasi Kyeyune of Sports Club Villa.

In a thrilling journey through the 2023 Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-18 Championship, Kenya's Junior Stars and Uganda Junior Cranes have earned their places in the much-anticipated final set for Friday, December 8, 2023, in Kisumu.

Topping their respective pools, the hosts secured an undefeated path to the semis, winning all three matches in Group 'A' to accumulate nine points. Meanwhile, Uganda rebounded from an initial loss to Tanzania, securing the top spot in Group 'B' with six points.

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Kenya's Junior Stars commenced their journey with a 5-0 victory over Sudan at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium on November 25. Coach Salim Babu's team continued their success with a 1-0 win against Rwanda on November 28th, concluding their group fixtures with a resounding 4-1 triumph over Somalia at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on December 1.

Despite a setback against Tanzania in their initial group 'B' match, Uganda secured an early final berth by defeating Rwanda 1-0 in Kisumu. They further solidified their position with 2-1 and 2-0 victories over Zanzibar and South Sudan, earning them a spot in the semis.

In a show of confidence, ex-Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi has expressed his belief in the Junior Stars' ability to clinch this year's title. Kimanzi commended the leadership of coach Babu, emphasising the importance of capping this successful journey with a title, especially against the formidable Ugandan side.

Uganda's Abubakar Mayanja celebrates their only goal in the semi-final against Rwanda (Photo: CECAFA Online/Twitter)

“It is important because when you are the host what else are you expected to deliver if not winning the trophy? It is the medal that the boys have to win because you can't buy it but fight for it on the pitch," said Kimanzi.

Kimanzi also took the opportunity to commend the efforts of those involved in talent development, particularly middlemen who identify young talents in secondary schools and connect them with agents for potential overseas opportunities.

"Most of them are middlemen who are tapping into talent and connecting the players to potential agents. These things are happening because sometimes people take advantage when we do not have the structures to transition from point A to B in football," explained Kimanzi.

Coach Babu faces the task of strategising against a formidable Ugandan team boasting young stars from top league teams, including Simon Mukisa, Batiibwe Charise Okello, Mutebi Hakim, and Abasi Kyeyune of Sports Club Villa. Uganda Junior Cranes, led by Coach Byekwaso, will showcase talents like Yiga Alex, Abubakar Mayanja (KCCA FC), Denis Kisiriko (URA FC), Mutyaba (Dynamo Tbilisi, Georgia), and goalkeeper Abdu Magad of Gaddafi FC. The squad also features goal scorers Richard Okello and Denis Kisiriko, who were pivotal in securing wins against South Sudan.