Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the U17 AFCON ended with a heavy 5-0 loss to Uganda in the CECAFA qualifiers. Uganda’s dominance was clear, with James Bogere scoring a hat-trick as Kenya failed to secure a necessary win. Uganda moves on to the semi-finals against Somalia, while Kenya’s campaign concludes disappointingly after two losses in Group A.
Kenya’s aspirations for qualifying for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were extinguished following a significant 5-0 defeat against Uganda in the CECAFA qualifiers. Entering the match, the young Harambee Stars were in dire need of a victory to sustain their hopes of advancing, yet they found themselves significantly outmatched by a dynamic Ugandan team. This loss is particularly disheartening, as it comes on the heels of a prior defeat to Tanzania.
From the outset, Uganda demonstrated their dominance, with James Bogere converting a penalty in the 17th minute to give Uganda an early lead. The situation deteriorated for Kenya when Isima Magala scored shortly before halftime, bringing the score to 2-0. Just prior to the break, Bogere found the net again, completing a first-half brace and leaving Kenya in a daunting position at 3-0.
The second half provided little respite for the young Kenyan side, as Bogere secured a hat-trick a mere 10 minutes after the restart. Simon Wanyama added a fifth goal to seal Uganda’s emphatic victory with just 10 minutes remaining on the clock. As a result of this match, Uganda will progress to the semi-finals where they will face Somalia. Meanwhile, Tanzania has secured their place in the semi-finals and will compete against South Sudan on Christmas Eve.
The U17 Africa Cup of Nations serves as an important platform for youth football in Africa, offering young athletes the chance to showcase their talents on a continental level. The CECAFA qualifiers are preliminary matches that determine which teams will advance to the AFCON. Kenya’s U17 team, the Harambee Stars, entered the qualifiers with aspirations of securing a spot in the tournament. However, their inability to perform during the crucial matches significantly hindered their chances, culminating in their elimination from contention after losing both games in Group A.
In summation, Kenya’s U17 team suffered a disappointing exit from the AFCON qualification process, as evidenced by their heavy 5-0 loss to Uganda. Despite the need for victory to maintain hopes of advancement, the team struggled to compete against their opponents. This defeat highlights the challenges faced by Kenya in youth football, while Uganda advances to the semi-finals, seeking further success in the tournament.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
