Clinical Rising Stars qualify for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Rising Stars squad line up before a past match. [Cecafa Online,X]

The national under-20 football team, Rising Stars, on Friday evening made history after qualifying for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The promising Kenyan outfit led by Kenya Police tactician Salim Babu hammered Burundi 4-0 after second half masterclass in the CECAFA U20 qualifiers staged at the Azam Sports Complex in Tanzania.

Rising needed to beat Burundi in the semis to join Tanzania in representing the East Africa region in next year's tournament, which will consist of 12 teams. 

In the match, Burundi held Kenya to a 0-0 draw in the opening 45 minutes but were undone by the Amos Wanjala captained side in the final half.

Lawrence Okoth opened the scores for Kenya with a neat low finish in the 52^nd minute to give Rising Stars a 1-0 lead before Hassan Beja’s resilience saw the winger finish off his own rebound for 2-0 in the 66^th minute.

Two minutes later, former St Anthony’s Boys Kitale star Aldrine Kibet showed why he is the best young Kenyan talent right now after picking the ball from his own half, dribbling past three Burundian defenders and scoring Rising Stars third goal and his fourth of the tournament.

Louise Ingavi came off the bench to round off the scores at 4-0 after tapping in a rebound from close range.

Kenya will now face off against hosts Tanzania in the finals.

Earlier on, Tanzania had eliminated pre-tournament favorites and defending champions Uganda 2-1 in the first semifinal staged at the same venue, booking a place in the AFCON in the process.