The Kenyan national under-23 soccer team, Emerging Stars, will begin their campaign for the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (U23 AFCON) today against Tanzania at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. The match, scheduled to start at 9:00 AM, marks the beginning of the first round of qualifiers. Kenya is seeking to start their campaign on a positive note against their East African rivals. The team is led by coach Antony Kimani, who announced a 27-player squad for the match.
The match will be the first encounter between Kenya and Tanzania at this level, with both teams vying for a ticket to the U23 AFCON finals in Egypt next year. Kenya has never qualified for the finals of the tournament, while Tanzania also failed to reach the finals. The two teams have had limited success in recent matches, with Kenya losing 1-0 to South Sudan in a CECAFA match in 2021 and Tanzania being eliminated by Nigeria 3-1 in the U23 AFCON qualifiers in 2022.
Kenya's preparations for the match have been hampered by injuries, with striker Humphrey Aroko ruled out due to an injury sustained while playing for his club, Rosengård in Sweden. Midfielder Aldrine Kibet, who plays for RC Celta in Spain, has also been left out of the squad due to issues with his work permit. The team will rely on the likes of goalkeeper Caleb Kramer, defender Ian Onyango, and midfielder Jack Onganya to secure a positive result.
The winner of the tie between Kenya and Tanzania will face Ivory Coast in the second round of qualifiers. The first round features 28 teams competing in 14 two-legged ties, with the first legs scheduled for September 20 and the second legs for October 6, 2026. The second round matches are set to take place on November 9 and 17, before the third and final round in March 2027.
The U23 AFCON tournament holds significant importance, as it will also serve as a qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. African teams have a rich history in Olympic soccer, with Nigeria winning gold in 1996 and Cameroon claiming gold in 2000. The tournament will feature some of the continent's top young players, with many hoping to make a breakthrough into the senior national teams.
The Kenyan squad for the match includes a mix of players from local clubs and those based abroad. Goalkeepers Caleb Kramer, Mateo Ochieng, and Collins Omondi have been named, along with defenders Ian Onyango, Collins Ochieng, and Francis Okoth. The team will be looking to make a strong impression in the match and take a crucial step towards qualifying for the U23 AFCON finals.
Ticket sales for the match have been ongoing, with fans able to purchase tickets for Sh 200 (approximately $1.80 USD) for ordinary seats and Sh 500 (approximately $4.50 USD) for VIP seats. The match is expected to attract a large crowd, with fans eager to see their team take on Tanzania and start their U23 AFCON campaign on a positive note.
Key points
- The match against Tanzania marks the beginning of Kenya's U23 AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
- The winner of the tie will face Ivory Coast in the second round of qualifiers.
- The U23 AFCON tournament also serves as a qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
