AFCON U-17 Qualifiers: William Muluya Plots CECAFA Masterstroke as Junior Stars Surge Forward

Junior Stars head coach William Muluya has hailed Kenya’s resilience and tactical discipline after the team secured a crucial 2-0 victory over South Sudan to book a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers in Ethiopia. 

The win, achieved on Monday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, pushed Kenya to seven points ahead of their final Group A clash against hosts Ethiopia.

Kenya opened the scoring early through Derrick Wanyonzi, who found the back of the net in the 12th minute, giving the Junior Stars the perfect start. 

Trevor Nasasiro sealed the win one minute to full time, ensuring Kenya maintained their unbeaten run in the group. Despite the scoreline, South Sudan had several meaningful chances through skipper Panom Juo and substitute Micheal Wani, but could not convert.

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The result guaranteed Kenya a spot in the knockout stage, with Wednesday’s showdown against Ethiopia set to determine the Group A winners.

“First of all is to thank them because you remember we played Somali then in the second half it was very heavy for us. We conceded a goal in the second half and we had to share the points or we share the point actually. So this time round South Sudan seemed to be a bit stronger especially in terms of set piece. We gave out so many set pieces in the second half,” said coach Willaim Muluya after the match.

“But how we defended the set pieces is another key thing because it was their only easiest chance that they could create. They brought in some good changes, got some good chance, I think, but basically they were from our own mistakes. ah If the boys are in a way that they can commit mistakes and again rectify them by defending well, then it's a good one. Though today I can't say it was the best of the best from the Kenyan team.”

Despite the win, Muluya admitted that his side did not play to their full potential and will need to improve ahead of the decisive match against Ethiopia

“Yes, we won the game, but we had the fight, though today it didn't happen like we were planning to,” he noted.

The coach revealed that rotation may be necessary as the team prepares for quick back-to-back fixtures.

“Looking at how the games are structured because we play today in less than 24 hours, again we'll be playing in Ethiopia, it's based on how they can recover well. And basically I mean physically because lots of games I'll say have been using the same people so I'll have to see how I can make them rest well. Then again it goes to the mentality because now it's the knockout stage, 90 minutes for everyone, so whoever gives the match needed because we might be equal in tactics but whoever has the strong mentality will match.”

Muluya acknowledged the strength of the Ethiopian side, describing them as physically imposing and buoyed by home support.

“Ethiopia is very strong site, a site that possesses the top scorer of the tournament, a site that has the home-based farms basically backing them. For us, it's actually to...”

He stressed that tactical discipline will be crucial if Kenya is to contain their opponents.

“We to remain well disciplined tactically for us to try contain them. They have good runners, physically they are better. Being the fact that the 12th man will be pushing them, it means that if you are going to contain them by very good ball circulation, then again it is going to be a good game to watch. But I think it's a game to watch. I want to see whether from their side they are also going to rest people. It's something that we want to see if both teams are going to rest players but eventually whoever will be given an opportunity has to try and stand up for it.”

The CECAFA Secretariat has since rescheduled the final group matches to November 26, with semi-finals set for November 30 and the final on December 2. The top three teams will qualify for next year’s AFCON U-17 tournament.