Kevin Wangaya-inspired Rising Stars toss aside Djibouti to keep CECAFA AFCON-U20 qualification hopes alive

Photo || FKF

Kevin Wangaya-inspired Rising Stars toss aside Djibouti to keep CECAFA AFCON-U20 qualification hopes alive

Mark Kinyanjui 18:00 - 13.10.2024

Wangaya produced an inspired performance, scoring two and assisting once as Kenya trumped Djibouti 4-0 to keep their CECAFA U-20 AFCON hopes alive.

The Kenya National U-20 side Rising Stars returned to winning ways at the ongoing CECAFA U-20 AFCON qualifiers taking place in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, beating Djibouti 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.

In a tactical reshuffle, Babu opted for Aldrine Kibet and Lawrence Okoth to start, with AFC Leopards’ Kelly Madada and US-based Louis Ingavi making way.

The Kenyans were clearly determined to rack up that goal difference, which explained Babu’s decision to go adventurous, and it was a decision that paid off, as goals by Hassan Beja, Lawrence Okoth as well as a brace by Kelvin Wangaya were enough to give them all the three points.

Rising Stars were in  total control from the get go and were ahead in the fourth minute through Hassan Beja after William Gitama had forced a good chance in their box, but a poor clearance by their defenders resulted in the Kenyans taking the lead.

They continued piling the pressure and were ahead again in the 10th minute through Kevin Wangaya after he involved himself in a good one-two move with Aldrine Kibet, who had been brought into the starting lineup for the tie.

Djibouti just could not get going, and Wangaya would soon put them three nil up from the penalty spot after Hassan Beja won it having been fouled in the box in the 25th minute.

Although Djibouti created their first chance of the match in the 36th minute which forced Manzur Okwaro into making a timely block, they just could not find a way to get back into the game, and Salim Babu’s boys took a 3-0 advantage heading into the break.

Wangaya, who has been very evergreen all tournament, would soon create the goal that would make it four to the Kenyans’ good. Having intercepted a pass near the halfway line, he drove with it forward before giving a defence-splitting pass to Okoth,  who nonchalantly made it four..

The Kenyans continued dominating and toyed with Djibouti, and could have scored more goals were it not for their profligacy.

In the end, they would get all three points to return them top of the table on seven points after three games. Tanzania and Sudan sit second and third respectively on six points, while Rwanda are fourth on one point. Djibouti have yet to claim any point so far.

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