CECAFA U23: Okumbi delighted despite semifinals exit

Despite failing to secure a place in the finals of the ongoing CECAFA Under 23, Emerging Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi was left impressed with progress of the boys.

Emerging Stars are yet to concede a goal in regular time after bagging clean sheets against Djibouti and South Sudan in the group stages and suffered elimination via penalties after a barren draw against Burundi in the semis.

With a number of players in the squad having also suffered heartache in the CECAFA Under 20 Championship back in 2020, Okumbi was impressed with the progress of the players.

“Despite not getting to the final, I am happy with the progress of the players,” said Okumbi in an interview with the tournament's official portal.

Following the defeat Emerging Stars will now face South Sudan in the third place playoffs after a 2-0 win in the group stages as South Sudan lost to Tanzania in the other semi-final.

This will be the second time that South Sudan and Kenya will face off in the CECAFA age group brackets after losing to Africa’s news nation in the third place playoffs in the Under 20 tourney last year.

South Sudan head coach Simon James Yor admitted that he will be out to avenge the group stage loss and was also impressed with how far they have come in the tournament. 

“We are happy to get this far in the tournament and want revenge against Kenya who beat us in the group stage,” said Yor.

The game is slated for an 11 am kick off on Thursday June 29 at the Bahir Dar International Stadium.