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Rising Stars edged Tanzania 2-1 in their opening U18 AFCON-CECAFA qualifier fixture last Sunday.
Rising Stars coach Salim Babu has lauded his charges efforts after they stamped their authority by trumping hosts Tanzania in their opening CECAFA AFCON U-20 qualifier on Sunday.
The Kenya U-20 national team were off the mark in the 21st minute through a Kevin Wangaya freekick after AFC Leopards' Hassan Beja won a foul outside the box.
Beja would turn creator again in the second half setting up Andreas Odhiambo through on goal for Kenya's second goal.
Raheem Mkinyangi pulled one back for Tanzania as the Rising Stars held of the Gorogoro Stars to see out a 2-1 win.
Babu was pleased with his team's display attributing the quality down to having a good combination of abroad players and from the local league.
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18:06 - 06.10.2024
CECAFA AFCON U20 qualifiers: AFC Leopards' Hassan Beja on song as Rising Stars brush aside Tanzania
Hassan Beja provided the assist for the second goal to cap off a good afternoon for Salim Babu's Rising Stars, who overcame Tanzania 2-1 in the CECAFA AFCON U-20 qualifiers.
"It's a good combination that we have here. Some of these players took part in last year's U-18 CECAFA tournament held in Kenya. So we have familiarity and it has really helped us," said Babu via CECAFA TV.
"It has really helped us that we have such quality in the squad. We have three players in academies in Spain, one in America and two in Sweden. It's a good thing to have and certainly a difference maker," added Babu when questioned on whether having a number of players that play abroad in the squad played a part in making the difference on the day.
Rising Stars captain Amos Wanjala crafts his trade in Spain with Gymnastic Tarragona, the pro side of Nastic academy where fellow teammate Aldrine Kibet also masters his craft, while youngster Louise Ingavi is based in the US with Montvarde academy.
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08:04 - 07.10.2024
Rising Stars shift focus to Rwanda clash as the CECAFA U20 qualifiers take shape
Kenya, currently is second in the five-team 'group of death', will shift focus to their next match against Rwanda after edging out Tanzania on Sunday.
The star studded U-20 national squad will take on Rwanda next on Thursday, October 10 after dispatching Tanzania as the Rising Stars tactician assures they will have a different approach.
"We are going to approach every game differently. Rwanda are a good side but they are different to Tanzania and we won't approach them the same way," he added.
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