Radio Fortune Africa -Ukweli na Burudani

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By: Cantona Joseph|RFA

Junior Stars celebrating a goal against Somalia during their group match at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega on December 1, 2023. Photo courtesy of FKF media.

Kenya’s Under 17 team has been placed in a tough Group A alongside hosts Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Rwanda ahead of the upcoming CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The qualifiers are scheduled to take place at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa Stadium in Dire Dawa from November 15 to December 2, 2025.

The draw, conducted on Friday at the FUFA FM studio in Mengo, Uganda, was overseen by Andrew Jackson Oryada, CECAFA’s Head of Marketing and Communication.

“We are happy that CAF has created a platform for youngsters to play international football at zonal level. The best teams will qualify for the continental stage and eventually the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” said Oryada during the draw.

Group A matches, featuring Kenya’s Junior Stars, will be held at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, while Group B — which includes defending champions Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan, and Burundi — will be based at the Dire Dawa Stadium.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with the finalists and the third-place team earning the right to represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF U-17 AFCON 2026.

The Junior Stars will head into the tournament under new leadership after Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya was appointed the Kenya U-17 head coach, deputized by Shabana FC’s Peter Okidi.

The two were appointed following the Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) decision to re-advertise the role.

The Junior Stars are expected to begin residential training as they seek to qualify for the continental stage for the first time in several years.

With a youthful squad and renewed technical direction, Kenya will look to make a strong statement in the region’s most competitive youth football event.

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