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Head coach Salim Babu has explained how Junior Starlets' historic World Cup qualification has inspired Junior Stars' quest for an AFCON U-20 berth.
The Kenya U20 men's national team Junior Stars have drawn immense inspiration from the Junior Starlets’ groundbreaking achievement, as the U-17 women’s side prepares to make their debut at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the Dominican Republic.
With the Junior Starlets making history as the first-ever Kenyan football team to qualify for a World Cup at any level, the U20 boys are now motivated to make their own mark by qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 for the first time in the country's history.
Salim Babu, head coach of the Junior Stars, believes that the U-17 girls' success has created a new wave of determination and ambition within his squad.
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As they gear up for the CECAFA AFCON U-20 qualifiers, set to take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from October 6 to 20, 2024, the Junior Stars are fully aware of the stakes.
“The success of the U-17 girls has motivated us. They have qualified for the World Cup for the first time, and the boys now want to make history by becoming the first Kenyan side to qualify for the AFCON U-20,” Babu stated.
“They know that if they don’t qualify, they will have to wait another two years, by which time many of them will be overage. We cannot let that happen.”
The Junior Stars, currently in camp at the MPESA Foundation Academy in Thika, are fully focused on the tournament, which will feature matches against Tanzania, Rwanda, Djibouti, and Sudan. Their ultimate goal is to reach the semi-finals and win the CECAFA title, which would secure their long-awaited spot at the AFCON U-20 tournament.
With most of the squad comprised of players who impressed during the CECAFA U-18 tournament held in Kakamega and Kisumu last December, the team is confident in their abilities. According to Babu, the recent arrival of key players from Europe has bolstered the squad’s morale even further, including AIK's Stanley Wilson, who will link up with the squad in Tanzania on Sunday.
"Morale is high because we have camped together for a while, and the boys who have arrived from Europe have boosted those around them," he said.
As they prepare for their opening clash against Tanzania on October 6, Babu has stressed the importance of starting the tournament strong, especially considering that Tanzania will have the advantage of playing on home soil.
“It’s a tough group, but we want to make sure we’re in a position to win the first game. We know our opponents are at home, so it won’t be easy, but we will give it our all.”
Babu has also called on Kenyan fans to rally behind the Junior Stars as they seek to emulate the historic achievement of the Junior Starlets.
“We urge the fans to turn up in large numbers to support us. I am optimistic we will not disappoint, and we will give them a good time. I believe we will win,” Babu said confidently.
The Junior Starlets’ remarkable journey to the U-17 World Cup has not only captivated the nation but has also instilled a renewed sense of belief in the Junior Stars. Now, as they embark on their own quest for history, the U-20 boys are driven by the possibility of making Kenya proud on the continental stage.
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