Kenya's Under-23 team made a stunning statement in their TotalEnergies CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, thrashing Tanzania 4-1 at Nyayo National Stadium. The junior side dominated from start to finish, with Paul Osema scoring within 78 seconds and Lawrence Okoth doubling the lead in first-half stoppage time. The impressive performance has sparked conversation online, with many Kenyans calling for the U23 team to replace the senior national side, Harambee Stars, due to their recent struggles.
The 4-1 scoreline leaves Kenya firmly in the driving seat ahead of the return leg in Dar es Salaam on October 6. The eventual winners will advance to face Côte d'Ivoire in the second round. Videos of the performance quickly made the rounds online, with many praising the junior side's skill and teamwork. Captain Kevin Wangaya made it 3-0 just five minutes after the restart, before Tanzania pulled one back through a Shekhan Khamis penalty in the 54th minute.
Kelly Madada restored Kenya's three-goal cushion in the 75th minute with a well-taken strike from outside the box. The impressive performance has drawn comparisons to Harambee Stars' recent struggles, including their narrow escape against Eritrea in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Just days earlier, Harambee Stars had needed a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Eritrea at the same Nyayo Stadium.
The draw left a bitter taste for many fans, given Kenya had lost to Eritrea in three previous meetings and had managed only one training session before the match due to a boycott over delayed allowances. Many Kenyans on social media argued that the junior team should be handed the reins of the senior national side to avoid what they described as embarrassing performances.
On social media, Michael Mbugua wrote, "This is what should be the senior team. I bet the senior team can't beat this U23 Harambee Stars." The comparison between the two teams has sparked plenty of conversation online, with many questioning the current state of the senior national side.
Harambee Stars had chances to avoid the scare against Eritrea entirely, with Ryan Ogam missing a sitter in the ninth minute and Duke Abuya blazing over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat. Mohammed Bajaber, Shariff Musa, and Abuya all wasted further chances in the second half, before Ogam finally made amends, latching onto a Ben Stanley Omondi cross to level matters four minutes from time.
The call for the U23 team to replace Harambee Stars has gained traction online, with many fans seemingly unhappy with the current state of the senior national side. The U23 team's impressive performance has raised questions about the future of the senior team and whether a change is needed.
Key points
- Kenyans are calling for the U23 team to replace Harambee Stars due to their recent struggles.
- The U23 team's impressive 4-1 win over Tanzania has sparked conversation online about the state of the senior national side.
- Harambee Stars' narrow escape against Eritrea in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier has added fuel to the fire.
