Junior Stars trio eye Golden Boot award as Kenya targets CECAFA U18 Championship title

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FOOTBALL Junior Stars trio eye Golden Boot award as Kenya targets CECAFA U18 Championship title

Joel Omotto 14:00 - 07.12.2023

Three Junior Stars players are in contention for the CECAFA U18 Boys Championships top scorer’s award heading into Friday’s final between Kenya and neighbours Uganda

Kenya’s Junior Stars will not just be looking to claim the CECAFA U18 Boys Championship title but there are also individual awards up for grabs with the Golden Boot award firmly in their favour.

As Kenya prepare to face Uganda in the final on Friday, three players from Salim Babu’s squad have a chance to claim the Golden Boot as well as the Most Valuable Player awards.

Spain-based attacking midfielder Aldrine Kibet is the leading scorer at the tournament with three goals from four matches which leaves him in the driver’s seat for the top scorer’s gong and he will also be contesting for the MVP award.

Kibet scored in each of the three group games, getting one in Kenya’s 5-0 thrashing of Sudan in the tournament opener, before scoring the only goal as they edged Rwanda 1-0 and made it three with his strike past Somalia in a match Babu’s boys won 4-1.

Hot on his heels is Florida-based striker Louis Ingavi whose brace against Sudan leaves him on two goals, same as team-mate Humphrey Aroko.

Kariobangi Sharks star Aroko scored his two goals against Somalia when he began the comeback as Kenya rallied from a goal down to win the match 4-1.

With Somalia already out, the Kenyan trio will only have to worry about Tanzania’s Mohammed Ali Mohammed, who also has two ahead of their third-place playoff match against Rwanda.

Kenya are the highest scorers in the competition, having banged in 10 while conceding just once en route to the final, with Kibet maintaining his status as a crowd favourite with his mesmerizing displays.

The Nastic Academy star has been at his brilliant best with Tryon Kariuki, Ingavi and captain Amos Wanjala also entertaining the crowd with their talent and skills.

There are high hopes that hosts Kenya will triumph over Uganda and claim the title on home soil although they will be wary of putting themselves under pressure given how Tanzania run them close in the semi-final before they won on post-match penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time.

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