Kenya’s Junior Stars maintained their 100% winning run after a 4-1 victory against Somalia to finish at the top of Group A in the ongoing CECAFA U18 Boys Championship 2023 at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
Despite an early breakthrough by Abdihafid Abdi, granting Somalia a lead in the 19th minute, Kenya swiftly responded, leveling the score just five minutes later through a goal by Humphrey Aroko. Momentum swung in Kenya’s favor when Stanley Omondi’s long-range free-kick found the net in the 28th minute, giving Junior Stars a lead as they entered halftime.
The second half witnessed Humphrey Aroko complete his brace when he scored the team’s third goal. Furthermore, Aldrine Kibet came off the bench to score the fourth and final goal in the 74th minute, adding to his tally of three goals in the tournament so far.
Read Also: Kenya’s Junior Stars defeat Rwanda to reach CECAFA U18 semi-finals
In another Group A fixture, Rwanda’s Junior Amavubi silenced Sudan 3-0 at the Jomo Kenyaata Stadium in Kisumu on Friday. Didie Ndayishimiye gave Rwanda the lead after 37 minutes with a cool finish past the Sudan goalkeeper Ahmed Alkhdeer. The Sudan team tried to play a highly defensive approach, but the Rwanda team kept attacking in numbers.
After the recess, Kenedy Hoziyana converted a penalty after 56 minutes to send Rwanda 2-0, and Jean Paul Irakoze made it 3-0 after 84 minutes. The Rwanda head coach Baptiste Kayiranga said he was happy his team had picked a win and qualified for the semi-final stage. ”We go into the semis with two wins and one defeat. We now need to keep working hard because I know the teams qualifying from Group B are also strong,” added Kayiranga.
Action will return on Saturday with two Group B matches as Uganda takes on South Sudan in Kisumu, and Tanzania battles Zanzibar in Kakamega. All the four teams have three points each.