Kenya’s U23 national football team, the Emerging Stars, took a major step towards the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tanzania 4-1 in the first leg of their qualifier at Nyayo Stadium on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Kenya made a flying start, taking the lead inside the opening minute when captain Kevin Wangaya found Henry Omollo, whose pass into the box set up Paul Osama to finish.
The Emerging Stars doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time, Lawrence Okoth heading home from another well-delivered Wangaya cross to give Kenya a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Wangaya then got his name on the scoresheet five minutes into the second half, making it 3-0. Tanzania responded almost immediately through Sheikhan Ibrahim Khamis, who converted from the penalty spot after Wycliffe Omondi handled the ball inside the box.
Kenya restored their three-goal advantage in the 75th minute through substitute Kelly Okonji Madada, completing the 4-1 victory.
The U23 head coach Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani credited the players for trusting the plan and executing it effectively.
“The fact that the players believed in themselves, believed in everything that we had done in the course of this week, we had a plan, everybody believed that the plan was going to work and all the credit goes to the players for executing our plan as best as they could,” Kimani said.
Captain Kevin Wangaya, who scored once and provided two assists, also praised the team’s preparation.
“I’m feeling so good. I would like to thank God and my team, the coach. As he said, we had a plan and it worked well. I am so happy for the goal and for the team for having the victory at home. It feels so special,” Wangaya said.
The result gives Kenya a three-goal advantage ahead of the return leg against Tanzania at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on October 6. The aggregate score over the two legs will determine who advances to the second qualifying round, where Ivory Coast awaits in November.
The qualifiers lead to the 2027 U23 AFCON finals in Egypt, which will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2028 Olympic men’s football tournament in Los Angeles. The top three teams will qualify directly for the Olympics, while the fourth-placed side will enter a global play-off.
