Good start for Kenya, Rwanda in CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship

Hosts Kenya and Rwanda made winning starts at the CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship 2023 kicked off on Saturday.

The Junior Stars of Kenya were in scoring mood infront of their fans netting five goals against Sudan in a Group A match played at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

Louise Ingavi gave Kenya the lead after only six minutes, and Tyron Junior made it 2-0 after 27 minutes. The Junior Stars continued to push forward with some quick transition and tactical play. Aldrine Kibet also got his name on the score sheet after 33 minutes.

Ingavi netted his second goal two minutes into added time to the interval. After recess the Sudan team changed their approach to try and close the gaps, but Elly Owande made sure he was not missing the scoring party as he made it 5-0 after 88 minutes.

Salim Babu, the Kenya head coach said it was good to start with a big win in the competition. ” It is good to win the opening match because it motivates the team, but our target remains to try and win the Cup, ” added Babu.

In an earlier match, a 10-man Rwanda team defeated Somalia 1-0. The two teams came out to create several scoring opportunities, but it was Rwanda that was more clinical infront of goal.

After going a player down when goalkeeper Eric Byiringiro was sent off after 37 minutes, the Rwanda team continued to battle on. After recess Sibomana Sultan Bobo gave Rwanda slotting the ball past Somalia’s goalkeeper Mohamed Abdikadir.

Baptiste Kayiranga, the Rwanda coach was all praise for his team that played well even after having a player sent off in the first half. ” The team responded well and didnot panic to work hard and collect three points. We need to continue working hard because we still have two more group matches to play, ” added Kayiranga.

Action in Group B will start today with Zanzibar taking on South Sudan, while Tanzania face Uganda in the second match.

The CECAFA U-18 Boys Championship which has attracted eight teams will climax on December 8th, 2023 with the final.

Group A table

                 P    W    D    L   GF  GA  GD  Pts

Kenya       1     1     0    0    5     0     5     3

Rwanda    1     1     0    0    1     0     1     3

Somalia    1     0     0    1    0     1    -1     0

Sudan       1     0     0    1    0     5    -5     0