Rising Stars eye Cecafa final, AFCON qualification

• The top two teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana.

Kenya Under-20 team, Rising Stars, in a training session on Thursday, September 10 2026 in Nairobi ahead of the CECAFA U-20 AFCON Qualifiers in Tanzania. Photo/FKF

The national Under-20 team head coach Gilbert Selebwa says his charges are targeting a place in the final of the CECAFA U-20 AFCON Qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The top two teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana.

Rising Stars kick off their campaign on September 17 against Burundi from 8PM at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam then face South Sudan on September 19 at 2PM.

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure on Saturday, Selebwa says the team is highly motivated and determined to make a strong showing in Tanzania.

“Our objective is to reach the final of the tournament and, in doing so, allow ourselves to play in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next year. The boys are very well motivated, and we are looking forward to a strong and convincing outing at the CECAFA tournament in Tanzania.”

Selebwa also confirmed that four players are yet to join the team’s training camp.

“I have four players who are yet to report to camp. They include Nairobi United goalkeeper Benard Jairo, Quincy Waithanji of BFC Dynamo [Germany], Keylah Mauko (CF Reus Deportiu, Spain) and Telena Ochieng, who is currently with Tusker in the CAF Confederation Cup. Those are the four players who are yet to join the camp.”

The season tactician revealed that the team is expected to travel to Tanzania on September 13 as preparations for the tournament enter the final stages.

“The only injury concern we have at the moment is Austine Odongo (Shaban FC),, who picked up a hamstring injury and is currently undergoing recovery. We also intend to leave for Tanzania via Nairobi on the 13th of this month, so everything should be in place within the next few days.”

Group A features hosts Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda, while Group B consists of Uganda, Sudan and Djibouti.

Kenya will be hoping to finish among the top two teams overall and secure qualification for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.