Top spot on offer as Kenya face Ethiopia in U17 AFCON qualifiers
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 26.11.25. | 07:54
Nevertheless, both teams have already booked a place in the semi-finals as Somalia, with six points, have already completed their group games while South Sudan and Rwanda have one and zero points respectively with one group match left
The national U17 boys football team, Junior Stars, takes to the pitch on Wednesday, 26 November, with a top-of-the-table clash against hosts Ethiopia in the ongoing U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers at the Abebe Bikila Stadium from 1600 hrs.
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Going into the match, Ethiopia are on top of Group A standings with seven points, the same as Junior Stars, but the former enjoy a superior goal difference of five as compared to Kenya’s three.
Nevertheless, both teams have already booked a place in the semi-finals as Somalia, with six points, have already completed their group games while South Sudan and Rwanda have one and zero points respectively with one group match left.
The Kenya and Ethiopia clash will therefore be all about who finishes top of the group and which team they face in the semi-finals.
To finish on top of the group, Kenya must win the match, as any other result will leave Ethiopia as the group leaders.
In Group B, Tanzania secured top spot after winning all their group matches, as Uganda cemented second position with six points, but have a clash against Djibouti on Wednesday.
Both Kenya and Ethiopia are therefore eyeing the top spot, partly to avoid a clash against the on-form Tanzania, who will face the second-placed team as the group leader takes on Uganda.
Kenya’s Julius Buong revealed that Junior Stars' strength lies in their tactical discipline and harmony in the team.
Group A goes down to the wire | U17AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers
— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) November 25, 2025
Ethiopia with a better goal difference and Kenya are level on points. A win or draw against Kenya will see Ethiopia keep top spot. A loss would see Kenya no. 1
No.1 meets Uganda; No.2 battles Tanzania in the semifinals pic.twitter.com/ROeQEkPc5V
“We are going to maintain our plan, which is to play possession-based football, even if the opponents play direct football and try to lure us into it.
The opponents (Ethiopia) are an equally good team, and so our unity on the pitch is what might make the whole difference,” Buong told FKF Media.
The versatile defender also left a word for the Junior Stars faithful.
“I want to ask fans not to be under pressure. They should keep calm and trust us to give them good results that will make them happy.”
In the other group match of the day, Rwanda and South Sudan will lock horns in a dead rubber clash at the same venue from 1300 hrs.
In Group B, Sudan takes on Burundi from 1600 hrs before Uganda faces Djibouti from 1900 hrs, both matches taking place at the Dire Dawa Stadium.
