Rising Stars eye semi-final place at Cecafa tourney

Kenya Under-20 midfielder Enock Wanyama (right) celebrates with teammate Malisau Mathew after scoring during their friendly match against Sudan Under-20 at Nyayo National stadium on November 5, 2020. Kenya won 2-1.


Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • This will be the second game for the Rising Stars since the competition kicked-off last weekend and will be played at Sheikh Amri Abeid stadium in Arusha from 1pm
  • Kenya beat Ethiopia 3-0 in their opening game on Monday after teenage sensation Benson Omala, striker Ronald Reagan and midfielder Enock Wanyama netted to send the team top of the group
  • Ethiopia beat Sudan 3-2 in a thrilling match on Wednesday to keep Rising Stars on toes in this group which Sudan sits bottom without a point

Harambee Stars Under-20 captain Nicholas Omondi says they will leave nothing to chance when they take on Sudan in a Group 'C' encounter on Friday at the ongoing Cecafa Under-20 Championships in Arusha. 

This will be the second game for the Rising Stars since the competition kicked-off last weekend and will be played at Sheikh Amri Abeid stadium in Arusha from 1pm.

Kenya beat Ethiopia 3-0 in their opening game on Monday after teenage sensation Benson Omala, striker Ronald Reagan and midfielder Enock Wanyama netted to send the team top of the group.

Omondi, who plies his trade with record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, says the team’s target is wining the regional championship and qualify for the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations. 

“Participating in the Under-20 African Cup of Nations is our priority and to get there we have to win this championship after losing narrowly in the last edition. Wining against Sudan will ensure we maintain our unbeaten record and qualify for the semis,” Omondi told Nation Sport on phone from Arusha.

The 19-year-old former Kibera Black Stars midfielder also said the 3-0 drubbing of Ethiopia was a collective team effort. Ethiopia beat Sudan 3-2 in a thrilling match on Wednesday to keep Rising Stars on toes in this group which Sudan sits bottom without a point. 

“It looked like an easy win but the truth is that everyone on the pitch gave his all and this made us believe that we can win this championship. We can’t take chances against Sudan, we have to play well and cement our lead in the group as we set our eyes on the title,” he added.

Coach Stanley Okumbi is expected to stick with the attacking trio of Omala, Wanyama and Reagan as Rising Stars only need a point to qualify for the semi-finals.

Fixtures

Friday

Kenya v Sudan

Burundi v South Sudan