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The Nairobian

Cecafa U20: Burundi stands in the way of Kenya's dream to U20 Afcon finals

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Oct 17, 2024

**Kenya's Aldrine Kibet in action against Sudan.** [Cecafa Online,X]

Kenya's Rising Stars can dare dream of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations U20 tournament if their performance at the ongoing Afcon U20 Cecafa Qualifiers in Tanzania is anything to go by.

The youngsters are just one step away from securing a historic ticket to the continental showpiece after finishing top of Group A with an unbeaten run and 10 points, one more than second placed Tanzania.

The emphatic 4-0 win over Sudan at Azam Stadium, in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday saw Salim Babu's boys join Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi in the last four.

With the finalists automatically qualifying for the continental extravaganza slated for next year, the Amos Wanjala-led side must beat Burundi in the second semi-final tomorrow night (7pm) at Azam Stadium to earn the ticket. The first semis will involve Uganda and Tanzania (3pm) at KMC Stadium. The hosts of the youth tournament will be known after CAF's General Assembly on October 22 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Spain-based attacking midfielder Aldrine Kibet produced a man of the match performance scoring a hat trick with enterprising Kevin Wangaya, adding the other one-his fourth of the tournament, to propel Kenya into the semis.

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It is a type of performance that left coach Salim Babu a happy man. However, the Kenya Police boss wants his charges to remain focused ahead of the Burundi fixture.

“I am very happy with the way my players expressed themselves on the pitch scoring four goals. We now have to focus on preparing for the semi-final match against Burundi,” said Babu.

Babu’s sentiments were echoed by Kibet who said: “We are happy to top our group. We are well prepared and ready for the next match. Our main goal is to qualify for final.”