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Rising Stars face Zimbabwe in a crucial U-20 tournament match, with both teams aiming for victory despite challenges and changes.
Kenya U20 national team, Rising Stars, will face Zimbabwe in the opener of their Four Nations Tournament at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, on Friday afternoon.
The much-anticipated match is set to kick off at 4 PM (EAT), laying the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting contest between the two teams.
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09:08 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera treats Harambee Stars to dinner ahead of Four Nations Tournament
Malawi President Chakwera treated Harambee Stars and other national teams to dinner, fostering unity ahead of Four Nations Tournament.
Rising Stars, under the temporary stewardship of assistant coach Anthony Akhulia arrived in Malawi on Thursday.
Head coach Salim Babu was notably absent, reportedly sidelined by a hitch in his travel documents, thrusting Akhulia into the spotlight as the acting head coach for the duration of the competition.
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07:00 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat erupted in fury after unexpected night visit before Malawi departure
Harambee Stars' preparations for Malawi tournament were disrupted on Wednesday leaving Coach Engin Firat fuming due to an unexpected late-night interruption at their camp.
Despite the coaching hiccup, the team's morale remains high, with Akhulia expressing confidence in his squad's preparation and mindset.
"We are well prepared for the match; we had our last training yesterday and are ready for the match. With confidence, we will emerge victorious," Akhulia stated.
The former Kenya international acknowledged Zimbabwe's strength but remained optimistic about his team's chances highlighting the importance of hard work and the desire to secure a comfortable victory.
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07:34 - 22.03.2024
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The tournament holds significant value for the Rising Stars, not just as a competitive platform but also as an opportunity to gauge the players' development.
"The tournament is very important to us, especially since the team that played today also participated in the CECAFA U-18. We want to see the progression of the boys, how far they have come, so we are using the same team to monitor the team's growth and help them advance through the ranks to the senior team," Akhulia elaborated, emphasizing the long-term vision behind their participation.
On the other side, Zimbabwe's coach Simon Marange remains steadfast in his tactical approach, undeterred by their opening match loss to hosts Malawi.
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18:39 - 21.03.2024
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Marange's philosophy hinges on a clear identity and playing style, traits he believes are fundamental to the Zimbabwean squad's development.
"The approach doesn't change. We were very clear from the word go that we wanted to play in the right way. The way we think the Zimbabwean player should play with a clear identity and culture," Marange stated, reflecting on the positives despite the initial setback.
Zimbabwe's performance against Malawi was a mixed bag, with Denzel Mapuwa's brace shining amidst defensive lapses that cost them the game as they lost 3-2.
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18:02 - 21.03.2024
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia defender Rooney Onyango opens up about playing in an unfamiliar role at Harambee Stars
Gor Mahia's Rooney Onyango has explained the reasons behind his rise to prominence for Harambee Stars.
The Young Warriors' resilience and ability to create chances, however, were notable, suggesting that the Rising Stars will face formidable opponents in Zimbabwe.
The tournament, initially set to feature four nations, has been scaled down to a round-robin event involving Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Malawi following Zambia's withdrawal due to logistical challenges.
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