Kenya, Sudan win opening ties in U-20 AFCON Zonal Qualifiers

Kenya and Sudan have picked wins in their opening matches as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 CECAFA Qualifiers got underway on Sunday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The Kenyan team handled by Salim Babu Ndarai started on a high scoring first against the hosts Tanzania at the KMC Stadium. Kelvin Wangaya struck from a free kick after 24 minutes giving the Tanzanian goalkeeper Anthony Mpemba no chance.

The home side tried to settle and push forward, but found the Kenyan defending line very organized, After the interval, Kenya made it 2-0 through Omondi Odhiambo after 66 minutes.

Tanzania pulled one goal back with a well taken free kick by substitute Rahim Mkinkange. The Tanzania head coach Charles Boniface Mkwasa said it was not good to start with a defeat, but added that they will fight to make sure they win their next Group A matches.

“We failed to defend well and also missed some good chances,” added Mkwasa. The Kenyan coach Ndarai.

In the second Group A match played at the Azam Complex, Sudan defeated Djibouti 3-1. Monzer Abo Khamis Tiya gave Sudan the lead after only three minutes, but Djibouti made it 1-1 through Dirieh Daher after 51 minutes.

Musa Hussein Musa Ali and Athothemen Shamselden Khalifallah Ahmed added two more goals for Sudan to ensure they make a comfortable start in the Zonal qualifiers. “This is a very good start in such a tournament,” said Sudan’s head coach Mohamed Ibrahim Awadalla Ali.

Action continues on Monday with South Sudan facing Burundi in the first Group B match at the KMC Stadium, while the 2022 Zonal champions Uganda will take on Ethiopia in the second match at the Azam Complex.

Group A: Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti, Kenya

Group B: Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia