Kenya’s Junior Stars Dominate South Sudan to Continue Impressive U17 AFCON Qualification Campaign

A David Wanyonyi strike in the 11th minute was enough to give Kenya all three points and keep their U17 AFCON qualifying hopes alive.

Kenya’s Junior Stars extended their strong run in the U17 AFCON qualifiers with a commanding performance, defeating South Sudan 2-0 in a match where they controlled large stretches of play and created numerous scoring opportunities.

Kenya took the lead in the 11th minute through David Wanyonyi, who calmly finished after a well-worked move down the right flank. The play began with a long, precise free kick from Cosmas Masita, who picked out Trevor Nasasiro in space. Nasasiro then delivered a perfect pass across the box for Wanyonyi to fire home and give Kenya a deserved early advantage.

The Junior Stars continued to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. In the 24th minute, Nicholas Acholla forced the South Sudan goalkeeper into a save with a direct free-kick attempt.

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Just three minutes later, Kenya produced another promising attack after slick interchanges around the edge of the area. Raphael Omondi struck from distance, but his effort drifted wide.

In the 31st minute, Armstrong Omondi took another free kick for Kenya, his strike taking a deflection for a corner. From the resulting delivery, Omondi connected well with a clean effort that again tested the South Sudan keeper.

Kenya’s pressure continued to mount. Acholla showcased excellent footwork, spinning away from a defender before cutting inside and unleashing a shot that was deflected for another corner.

Before the break, Nasasiro once again troubled the goalkeeper with a low drive from the right, as Kenya pushed hard for a second goal, but South Sudan held on to keep the deficit at one heading into halftime.

Second Half

South Sudan came out with renewed energy and almost equalised in the 54th minute when David Darako found himself through on goal after a quick counterattack, but he dragged his shot wide in what was their best chance of the match.

In the 63rd minute, Armstrong Omondi went close for Kenya with a powerful strike from outside the box, forcing goalkeeper Daniel Lombe into a strong save.

Coach changes followed, with Nasasiro and Omondi making way for Ray Ochieng and Brighton Nacheri. The substitutions injected fresh pace and energy, especially down the left flank.

Nacheri nearly doubled the lead in the 83rd minute, bursting down the wing but sending his shot narrowly wide. Two minutes later, he missed another opportunity after being picked out superbly by Julius Buong.

However, Nacheri made amends in the 88th minute, breaking free once more and setting up Trevor Nasasiro, who made no mistake this time—slotting home to seal the victory and put the game beyond South Sudan’s reach.

The result now means Kenya are level on points with Ethiopia at the top of their group ahead of their last match on November 27, with both sides eyeing a semi final slot.