D-Day as Kenya battles Tanzania in AFCON U-20 qualifier final

Kenya will aim to cap off their outstanding campaign in the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers with a victory when they face hosts Tanzania at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

This highly anticipated final is a rematch of their Group A encounter from just over a week ago. Tanzania will be eager to avoid another defeat, while Kenya hopes to remain unbeaten and lift the trophy.

Both teams have already secured qualification for the 2025 AFCON U-20 tournament by reaching the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers, in accordance with the competition’s rules.

Kenya’s impressive journey to the final began with a 2-1 win over today’s opponents in the group stage. They followed this up with a dominant 4-0 victory over Burundi in the semi-finals on Friday night at the Azam Complex. Apart from a goalless draw against Rwanda in the group stage, Kenya has won all their matches in the tournament.

Rising Star’s head coach, Salim Babu, acknowledged the challenge of the final, noting that Tanzania will be motivated to avenge their group stage loss. However, he remains confident in his team’s preparations and their determination to win the title.

“Tanzania will want revenge, which makes the final more difficult, but we have prepared well, and the players are determined to win the title,” said Babu, who also coaches Kenya Police in the FKF Premier League.

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Tanzania, after their group stage defeat to Kenya, have been in fine form, winning all four of their subsequent matches. They booked their place in the final with a 2-1 win over tournament favourites Uganda.

Tanzania’s coach, Charles Boniface Mkwasa, told Cecafaonline.com that his team is ready for the final after learning from their previous encounter with Kenya.

“We are very happy to have qualified for AFCON U-20, but now we are focused on winning the title,” said Mkwasa.

Tanzania will also welcome back one of their leading strikers, Valentino Kusengama, who missed the semi-final against Uganda due to suspension. Kusengama has scored four goals in the tournament, while Sabri Kondo leads the team with five goals.

Kenya’s Rising Stars will look to their key forwards, Kelvin Wangaya and Aldrine Kibet, both of whom have scored four goals, along with midfielders Andres Omondi and Hassan Beja, to inspire them to victory.

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In addition to the trophy and medals, awards will be given for the top scorer, player of the tournament, best goalkeeper, and the Fair Play Award. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be hosted in Chile.

CAF will announce the hosts of the 2025 AFCON U-20 tournament on October 22 during its General Assembly in Addis Ababa.

The final will be preceded by a third-place play-off between 2022 champions Uganda and Burundi at the same venue.

Today’s Matches (all at KMC Stadium):

Uganda vs. Burundi, 12 pm

Tanzania vs. Kenya, 3 pm