Afcon
AFCON U-20 QUALIFIERS: Kenya return to action against Sudan
Kenya’s Rising Stars return to action this afternoon in their second Group C match at the on-going Zonal Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) U-20 qualifiers at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium, Arusha.
After registering a comfortable 3-0 win against Ethiopia, the Rising Stars are favourites to pick maximum points against a Sudan side that showed defensive challenges in their 3-2 loss to Ethiopia.
Kenya’s coach Stanley Okumbi said he expects his players to perform better against Sudan today than they did in the opening group match. “The boys gave a good account of themselves in the first match against Ethiopia, and I am confident that we can do even better tomorrow,” said coach Okumbi.
He will hope that Benson Omala, Ronald Reagan and Enock Wanyama who scored in the win against Ethiopia find their scoring touch again today.
Sudan who lost 2-1 to the Rising Star in a friendly match played in Nairobi few weeks ago will miss the services of head coach Mounir Lehbab who was sent off during the game against Ethiopia.
The second game at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium will see Burundi battle South Sudan in a Group B clash. South Sudan opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Uganda Hippos, before Burundi suffered a 6-1 loss to Uganda.
After the group stages today, action will shift to the semi-final stage on Monday, while the final and play-off take place on December 2nd. The best two teams will qualify for the Afcon U-20 to take place next year.