Junior Stars face Somalia test in CECAFA U-18 Boys championship group stage finale

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PREVIEW: Junior Stars face Somalia test in CECAFA U-18 Boys championship group stage finale

Festus Chuma 09:44 - 01.12.2023

In the final group match, Junior Stars face Somalia, aiming to maintain their top spot, while the Ocean Stars seeks a win to advance.

Kenya’s Junior Stars are set to wrap up their Group A matches of the 2023 Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-18 championships in style as they face Somalia on Friday at Bukhungu Stadium.

Having already secured their spot in the semifinals after a hard-fought victory over Rwanda, the Junior Stars are now focused on maintaining their momentum and entertaining the enthusiastic football fans in Kakamega.

The star of the moment, Spanish-based Aldrine Kibet, will once again take center stage at Bukhungu Stadium, where he first made a name for himself.

With six points to their name, Kenya aims to finish the group stage on a high note, while Somalia is desperate for a win to keep their hopes alive.

Junior Stars' journey in the CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship has been nothing short of impressive, and their latest triumph over Rwanda showcased their determination and skill.

Aldrine Kibet's winning goal in the match against Rwanda not only secured Kenya's place in the semifinals but also established them as the leaders of Group A.

With a passionate home crowd behind them, Kenya is determined to deliver another memorable performance, even though they have already secured their spot in the knockout stages.

For Kibet, Bukhungu Stadium holds a special place in his heart, as it is the same field where he rose to prominence.

The 17-year-old striker played a pivotal role in St Anthony’s Boys Kitale's victory over Dagoretti High School, helping them clinch the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) national football title for the sixth time.

Now, Kibet returns to the familiar grounds with the national U-18 team, ready to make his mark once again.

Junior Stars assistant coach, Antony Akhulia, emphasized the team's commitment to improving their performance, despite already securing their semifinal spot.

“We didn’t play well in the second match against Rwanda. We want an improved performance. As I said earlier, we take one game at a time," he said.

In the upcoming clash, Kenya will aim to secure a win and maintain their position at the top of Group A.

On the other hand, Somalia's hopes of advancing to the semifinals rely on winning against Kenya and hoping that Rwanda stumbles against Sudan.

Somalia's coach, Omar Ahmed Mohamed, acknowledged Kenya's strong footballing prowess but remained optimistic about his team's chances.

“We know Kenya are playing good football and have won two matches now. But we shall prepare well because we need to defeat Kenya in our last group match," he said.

The clash between Kenya and Somalia promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams giving their all to achieve their respective objectives.

Meanwhile, Rwanda faces Sudan in the other Group A match at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu.

The Rwandese team must secure a victory against Sudan to keep their hopes of advancing to the next round alive.

With the pressure on, Rwanda will look to deliver a performance that could potentially see them through to the semifinals.

The semifinals of the CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship are scheduled to take place next Tuesday in Kisumu, followed by the third-place play-off and final on Friday. 

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