Kenya’s U20 national football team, the Rising Stars, stormed into the semi-finals of the AFCON U20 qualifiers with an emphatic 4-0 win over Sudan in their final Group A match, a performance highlighted by Aldrine Kibet’s hat trick.
The win sealed Kenya’s top spot in the group, and they head into the knockout stages full of confidence. With a semi-final berth already within their grasp, Kenya needed just a draw to secure progression, while Sudan found themselves in a must-win situation. As expected, the match delivered a thrilling contest filled with goal-scoring opportunities and fine individual displays.
Kenya, under the guidance of coach Salim Babu, opted to field the same starting eleven that had comfortably beaten Djibouti in their previous match. The cohesion and understanding within the team were clear from the outset, as Kenya took control of the match early on.
Just four minutes into the game, Kenya opened the scoring through Aldrine Kibet. A well-taken corner from Andreas Odhiambo found Kibet in the box, and the forward made no mistake, rising high to head the ball past the Sudanese goalkeeper. The early goal gave Kenya the upper hand and set the tone for what would be a long afternoon for Sudan.
Early Setback
Despite the early setback, Sudan remained determined and sought to claw their way back into the game. In the 10th minute, Sudan had their first real chance when Bushra tested Kenya’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Wanzala, with a powerful shot. Wanzala, however, was equal to the task, pulling off a fine save to deny Sudan the equalizer. It was a warning sign for Kenya, as Sudan began to grow in confidence. Moments later, Kenya missed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Lawrence Okoth failed to convert a chance from close range. Sudan then came close again as Yasin’s header from a well-placed cross forced another critical save from Wanzala, who was proving to be a pivotal figure in keeping Kenya ahead.
As the first half progressed, both teams had their chances, but Kenya’s discipline and sharpness in attack gave them the edge. Sudan’s defense began to show signs of vulnerability, and Kenya capitalized on this in the 41st minute. Aldrine Kibet once again found himself in the right place at the right time. After some excellent play down the right wing by Baron Ochieng’ and William Gitamu, Gitamu delivered a perfect cross into the box, where Kibet met it with a cool finish, slotting the ball past the Sudanese goalkeeper to make it 2-0. The second goal gave Kenya a comfortable lead heading into halftime, leaving Sudan with an uphill task in the second half.
Kibet’s Clinical Finishing
Kenya’s 2-0 advantage at the break was well-deserved, with Kibet’s clinical finishing and Wanzala’s commanding presence in goal playing key roles. Sudan, knowing they had to score at least three goals to keep their hopes alive, came out for the second half with a sense of urgency. However, Kenya’s defense stood firm, and Wanzala continued to frustrate the Sudanese attack. In the 57th minute, Sudan earned a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the penalty box. Ahmed stepped up to take the set-piece, but once again, Wanzala was on hand to make a vital save, diving low to his right to keep the ball out.
As the game wore on, Sudan’s desperation to get back into the match left them vulnerable to Kenya’s counterattacks. Kenya’s third goal came in the 66th minute, effectively putting the game beyond Sudan’s reach. Kevin Wangaya, who has been one of the standout players of the tournament, unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that flew past the Sudanese goalkeeper, making it 3-0. Wangaya’s goal was his fourth of the tournament, tying him at the top of the goal-scoring charts with Uganda’s John Dembe.
Kenya in Cruise Control
With a three-goal cushion, Kenya shifted into cruise control, dictating the tempo of the match and limiting Sudan’s attacking opportunities. Sudan’s frustration became evident as they struggled to create clear-cut chances, while Kenya continued to press forward in search of more goals. Kibet, already on a brace, was hungry for more, and his persistence paid off in added time when he completed his hattrick. Kenya launched a swift attack, and Kibet found himself with space in the box beat three Sudan defenders and with precision, he slotted the ball into the back of the net, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 victory for Kenya.
The victory saw Kenya finish at the top of Group A with 10 points, while Sudan’s hopes of progressing were dashed.
Group A Matches
In the other Group A match, Rwanda and Djibouti faced off in a dead rubber, with both teams already eliminated from the tournament. However, Rwanda ensured they ended their campaign on a high with a resounding 5-1 victory over Djibouti. Rwanda took the lead in the 9th minute through Jesus Paul, and their dominance continued as Ndayishimiye doubled their advantage 13 minutes later. Pascal Iradunkunda added a third just before halftime, sending Rwanda into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The second half was more of the same, as Rwanda’s attacking onslaught continued. Joseph Petry scored their fourth goal just four minutes after the restart, and Yangiri Yeneza added a fifth in the 73rd minute. Djibouti managed a consolation goal in added time, with Ahmed Hassan finding the back of the net, but it was too little, too late as Rwanda secured a convincing victory. Djibouti finished the tournament without a win, while Rwanda ended on four points, though both teams were eliminated.
Semifinals
Kenya and Tanzania, the top two teams in Group A, advanced to the semi-finals. Kenya will face Burundi in the last four, while Tanzania will take on defending champions Uganda in the other semi-final. Both matches are scheduled for October 18, 2024, at 2 PM. With momentum on their side, Kenya will be confident of continuing their impressive run as they chase the AFCON U20 title and qualification.