Emerging Stars bow out in CECAFA tournament against Burundi

Nope, it is not coming home.

The Emerging Stars, under the guidance of Stanley Okumbi, have been knocked out 4-2 on post-match penalties by Burundi at the semifinal stage of the CECAFA regional tournament in a match that took place on Tuesday afternoon in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Coming into the match, the U23 side had done well for themselves and were brimming in confidence. In the two matches they had played in the group stages prior to booking their semifinal berth, the Emerging Stars had not conceded even once and had scored five goals.

When it mattered though, the boys could not score against Burundi who forced the game into penalty shoot outs following a barren stalemate in regulation time.

In the spot kicks, Burundi successfully converted all four of their penalties as Kenya missed two conversions from the spot to bow out of the tourney.

Head coach Okumbi rang a lot of changes in the semis tie - four to be specific, replacing Lewis Bandi, Reagan Otieno, John Njuguna, David Odhiambo and opting for Boniface Mwangemi, Austin Odhiambo, Bonniface Muchiri and Josephat Lopaga

Following the disappointing loss, Emerging Stars will face South Sudan in the third/fourth place playoff match on Friday.