Kenya defeated Sudan 2-1 on Friday to qualify for the Cecafa U20 Championship semi-finals.
Tag: Rising Stars
Kenya’s Rising Stars beat Ethiopia in Cecafa U20 championship
Kenya went top of Group C in the Cecafa U20 championship after defeating Ethiopia 3-0 on Monday evening.
The Rising Stars started the match on a high but failed to take their chances until the 38th minute when Gor Mahia forward Benson Omalla rose highest to head in a cross from the right to ensure his team went to the break with a slim lead.
A minute after the restart, they doubled their advantage after the goalkeeper failed to clear the danger, and the K’Ogalo youngster managed to pick Ronald Reagan who tapped the ball into an empty net.
But Omalla was not done.
In the 85th minute, he controlled a long ball and despite being in a one on one situation with the keeper, he decided to pass it to Enock Wanyama who had an easy finish.
The result means Kenya are top of the group and a win against Sudan will be enough for them to seal their place in the semi-finals. The competition is used as Zone Five Afcon qualifier as well.
In another game played on Monday, the Hippos of Uganda settled to a goalless draw against South Sudan. The former had to finish the game with 10 men after Musa Ramadhan was sent off in the first half.
Group A has hosts Tanzania, Somalia and Djibouti while Uganda, South Sudan and Burundi make Group B. Grou
Results
Sunday, November 22
Tanzania 6-1 Djibouti
Monday, November 23
Ethiopia 0-3 Kenya
South Sudan 0-0 Uganda
Kenya, Sudan warm up for regional U-20 showdown in Tanzania
NAIROBI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) — Kenya and Sudan are warmed up for the forthcoming regional Cecafa U-20 football tournament in Tanzania, having played two friendlies against each other this week in Nairobi.
Kenya rallied to beat Sudan 2-1 on Thursday evening in their second encounter.
Brian Wanyama and Matthew Mwendwa netted for Kenya in the 35th and 78th minutes. Kenya head coach Stanley Okumbi said after the game that he would bolster his squad in the coming days before they depart for the regional competition that will run from November 22 to December 6 in Arusha, Tanzania.
“This is not the final squad and I feel we can get six, seven or eight players from outside because some had no documents and others had travelled. We need to boost the team for our final preparations,” Okumbi said.
In their first encounter here on Monday, Kenya also came from behind to beat Sudan, 3-1.
“We started low and made the same mistake of conceding the ball to Sudan who is good in transition and counter-attack,” the Rising Stars boss said. The former senior side Harambee Stars head coach will be trying to instill the philosophy of building attacks from the back since he does not believe that young players should be playing long balls ahead of their trip to Tanzania.
Okumbi led Kenya to the final of the 2019 CECAFA tournament in Tanzania where they lost to the home team in the decider.The Rising Stars have been drawn in Group C of the tournament against Ethiopia and Sudan.
Sudan coach Mounir Lehbab has also set his sights on securing a first regional football title for Sudan.
“The objective for this team is to win in Tanzania and qualify for the U-20 AFCON in Mauritania in March. We have worked hard for this. The players improve every day,” Lehbab said.
Group A consists of hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia and Djibouti while Group B consists of Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan, and Uganda.
The top team in each group will proceed to the semifinals, alongside the best runner-up. The finalists, meanwhile, are set to earn an automatic slot at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
Rising Stars defeat Sudan 2-1 in second friendly
Kenya U20 side defeated their compatriots from Sudan 2-1 in a friendly match played at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday evening.
With the U20 Cecafa Championship on the horizon, both teams used the game to gauge their preparedness and it was the visitors who started the game on a high.
In the fourth minute, Ezeldin Abdurahman was fed in a good position and he welcomed the opportunity to give his team a deserved lead.
Kenya fought for the equalizer and were rewarded in the 35th minute through forward Brian Wanyama who was unmarked. It was the goal that ensured both teams went on break on equal footing.
The hosts had to wait until the 78th minute to get the winning goal courtesy of Matthew Mwendwa.
It was the second time in four days Kenya were defeating Sudan. The first loss came on Monday where the Stanley Okumbi charges registered a 3-1 win.
In the Cecafa competition to be held in Tanzania, from November 22 to December 6, 10 teams from the region will be aiming at playing in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya U20 hit Sudan 3-1 in Cecafa prep match
Kenya U20 team defeated their counterparts from Sudan 3-1 in a friendly match staged at Kasarani Stadium on Monday.
The Rising Stars started the match on a low note and in the 16th minute, their offside was beaten and Sudan got their opening goal courtesy of Nogh Hussein who tapped the ball into an empty net.
In the 32nd minute, it was 1-1 after Selassie Otieno rose highest to head home a free-kick.
The momentum was with the Stanley Okumbi-led team and it is the reason why they upped their tempo in the second half. A fierce strike was spilled by the goalkeeper and Ronald Reagan poked the ball into an empty net.
The final goal came by Mathew Mwendwa who finished a swift counter attack.
The teams were using the friendly game to sharpen their players ahead of the Cecafa challenge Cup in Tanzania where 10 teams are set to play.
Group A: Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, and Djibouti
Group B: Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan, and Uganda
Group C: Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan
The competition will start late in November in Tanzania
Rising Stars Squad; Goalkeepers: Maxwell Mulili (AFC Leopards), Bixente Otieno (Wazito), Elvis Ochieng (City Stars).
Defenders: Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Omar Somobwana (AFC Leopards), Joseph Levin (Naivas), Wardfine Akhatsika (Chebuyusi High School), Kelvin Mose (Uweza), Alphonse Omija (Gor Mahia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Rolland Ashimoto (Kakamega High School), Steiner Musasia (Talanta), Nicholas Omondi (Gor Mahia), Keith Imbali (Gor Mahia Youth).
Midfielders: Enoch Wanyama (Ligi Ndogo), Ronald Reagan (Kariobangi Sharks), Alphonse Washe (Bandari), Hamid Mohammed (Bandari), Danson Kiprono (Zoo), Ian Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar), Austine Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Mwakio Kisaka (Riruta United), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Telvin Maina (Kisumu All-Stars), Arnold Onyango (USA).
Forwards: Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Stephen Otieno (Bongonaya), Kappen Samuel (Liberty), Sellasie Otieno (Nzoia Sugar), Unaiz Shajani (Starfield Elite FC).
Stanley Okumbi unveils Rising Stars provisional squad for Afcon qualifiers
Gor Mahia prodigy Benson Omala is among the players who have been included in the Kenya U20 team for the Cecafa tournament to be played in Tanzania from November 22 to December 6.
The youngster was a thorn in defenses when he was with Western Stima, before K’Ogalo managed to snap him.
US-based Arnold Onyango has also been called into the team by coach Stanley Okumbi. AFC Leopards midfielder Austin Odhiambo, Wazito FC custodian Bixente Otieno are also in the squad.
The competition will double up as the Afcon qualifiers for the regional teams.
Kenya’s Rising Stars are in Group C with Ethiopia and Sudan while hosts Tanzania have been pooled in Group A with Rwanda, Somalia and Djibouti. Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan and Uganda are in Group B.
Rising Stars Squad
Goalkeepers
Maxwell Mulili (AFC Leopards), Bixente Otieno ( Wazito), Elvis Ochieng (City Stars)
Defenders
Boniface Mwangemi (Kariobangi Sharks), Omar Somobwana (AFC Leopards), Joseph Levin (Naivas), Wardfine Akhatsika (Chebuyusi High School), Kelvin Mose (Uweza), Alphonse Omija (Gor Mahia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Fredrick Alushula (Kariobangi Sharks), Rolland Ashimoto (Kakamega High School), Steiner Musasia (Talanta), Nicholas Omondi (Gor Mahia), Keith Imbali (Gor Mahia Youth)
Midfielders
Enoch Wanyama (Ligi Ndogo), Ronald Reagan (Kariobangi Sharks), Alphonse Washe (Bandari), Hamid Mohammed (Bandari), Danson Kiprono (Zoo), Ian Simiyu (Nzoia Sugar), Austine Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Mwakio Kisaka (Riruta United), Timothy Ouma (Nairobi City Stars), Telvin Maina (Kisumu All-Stars), Arnold Onyango (USA)
Forwards
Benson Omala (Gor Mahia), Henry Meja (Tusker), Stephen Otieno (Bongonaya), Kappen Samuel (Liberty), Sellasie Otieno (Nzoia Sugar), Unaiz Shajani (Starfield Elite FC)
Tanzania are new Cecafa U20 Championship winners
Tanzania are the new Cecafa U20 Championship winners after defeating Kenya on Saturday by a solitary goal.
The Stanley Okumbi-led charges came into the match as favourites, but were shocked by a good start from their neighbours.
In the first half, Israel Patrick, Kelvin Nashon and Albert Simchimba came close for Tanzania, but good goalkeeping and perfect defending from the Rising Stars ensured the ball did not hit the back of the net.
It changed immediately after the break for Kenya when they gave away a free-kick in a good position. Patrick Mwenda took it and in his desperate effort to clear the ball, defender Ronald Otieno sliced the ball into his net to hand Tanzania a 46th-minute lead.
Substitute Benson Ochieng and Joshua Nyatini gave their best to find a leveler for Kenya but Tanzania held on to their slim advantage to win the tournament.
Eritrea finished third in the competition after downing Sudan in the 3rd position play-off.
Kenya and Tanzania to face off in the finals of Cecafa U20 Championship
Kenya U20 national team Rising Stars have qualified for the finals of Cecafa U20 Championship after defeating Eritrea by a solitary goal in the semi finals.
The Stanley Okumbi led side had beaten Burundi 2-1 in the quarter finals and were paired against Eritrea who had claimed a comfortable 5-0 win against Zanzibar.
On Wednesday, the Eritreans started the match on a higher note and were twice denied by the woodwork.
Kenya missed decent opportunities with Boniface Oluoch denied by the crossbar twice.
The goal finally came for the Rising Stars later on courtesy of Yoseif Mebrahtu who turned the ball into his net.
Kenya will now play Tanzania, who downed Sudan 2-1, in the finals this weekend.
Cecafa U20 Championship: Kenya to play Eritrea, Tanzania face Sudan
The Kenya U-20 national team Rising Stars are set to play Eritrea in the semi-finals of the ongoing Cecafa U20 Championship in Uganda on Tuesday.
The Stanley Okumbi-led side eliminated Burundi in the quarter-finals on Sunday to make it to the last four.
Hamimu Hakizimana had scored for the Burundians in the stroke of half-time, but goals from Patrick Otieno and substitute Benson, who scored at the death, sealed progression for the Kenyans.
Hosts Uganda were eliminated from the competition by Tanzania who emerged 4-2 victors.
The Zuberi Katwila-coached side scored the goals courtesy of braces from both Andrew Simchimba and John Pius while the hosts’ consolations came through Abdul Kayondo who, coincidentally, scored a brace.
Tanzania will play Sudan who eliminated their Southern brothers by a solitary goal.
Quarterfinals results
Tanzania 4-2 Uganda
Eritrea 5-0 Zanzibar
Kenya 2-1 Burundi
Sudan 1-0 South Sudan
10 countries to face off in 2019 Cecafa U20 Championship
Kenya’s Rising Stars have been pooled in Group B in the upcoming 2019 Cecafa U20 Championship later this month.
A total of 10 countries will be competing for top prizes in the annual competition which will be held in Uganda from September 21 to October 5th. Ethiopia, Zanzibar, and Tanzania are the other three teams in Group B.
The Hippos of Uganda are in Group A alongside Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti, while South Sudan, Somalia, and Burundi make Group C.
Top three teams from Groups A and B will qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition while the top two in Group C will make it into the last eight.
Kenya’s U20 squad led by coach Stanley Okumbi have been in camp since last week in preparation for the tournament.
The first match for the Rising Stars will be against Zanzibar on September 22 before playing Tanzania two days later. The final group game for the Okumbi’s charges will be played on the 26th.
Full Squad
GOALKEEPERS
Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks), Bixente Otieno (Wazito)
DEFENDERS
Alphonce Otieno (Gor Mahia), Collins Shichenje (AFC Leopards), Boniface Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Alvin Ochieng (Kisumu All-Stars), Brian Wepo (Nzoia Sugar), Boniface Mwangemi (Dagoretti High School), John Otieno (Kakamega Homeboyz), Tom Teka (Kariobangi Sharks), Levian Ochieng (Nairobi Stima)
MIDFIELDERS
Joshua Nyatini (Wazito), Fidel Origa (Western Stima), Musa Masika (Wazito), John Njuguna (Ulinzi Stars), Peter Oudo (Kariobangi Sharks), Austin Ochieng (AFC Leopards), Alvin Mang’eni (Nairobi Stima), Steve Otieno (Kisumu All-Stars), Chris Owino (FC Talanta), Enock Wanyama (Ligi Ndogo), Erick Kinuthia (KCB), Tonny Kegode (Gor Mahia Youth)
FORWARDS
Sydney Lokale (Kariobangi Sharks), Abraham Dawo (Kenya Police), Benson Omala (Western Stima), Ronald Shichenje (Aspire Academy), Kevinton Machika (Kariobangi Sharks)