Rising Stars captain Wanjala eyes Cecafa glory after booking Afcon ticket

Rising Stars squad. [Cecafa]

Without doubt Spain-based defender Amos Wanjala has been one of the pivotal figures as Kenya's Rising Stars secured their first-ever qualification for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament.

The Kenyan captain, known for his composure and leadership, was instrumental in guiding the team to a resounding 4-0 victory over Burundi in the Cecafa Zonal qualifiers semifinal at the Azam Complex on Friday night.

Now, with an Afcon ticket secured, Wanjala is eager to take his team one step further and capture the regional title. But to achieve that feat, Kenya must overcome their hosts Tanzania in the final today (3pm). This will be a repeat of the group match where Kenya won 1-0.

The comprehensive win over Burundi not only punched Kenya's ticket to the continental showpiece, but also marked a historical milestone for Rising Stars, as they qualified for continental showpiece.

Wanjala's leadership on and off the field has been a key factor in Kenya's success, helping foster a sense of unity and determination within the squad.

"We are all very happy to achieve the first goal of qualifying for AFCON U-20," Wanjala told Cecafaonline.com after the match.

"The determination and teamwork have been key for us in reaching this far, and we believe there's more to come."

The semi-final match against Burundi started as a balanced affair, with both teams unable to find the net during the first 45 minutes.

Lawrence Okoth broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, calmly slotting the ball into the net after a defensive lapse from Burundi.

Hassan Beja made it 2-0 in the 66th minute, following up his own shot after a rebound. Burundi, unable to match Kenya's intensity, conceded another goal just two minutes later.

Aldrine Kibet then took control from deep within his own half, dribbled past multiple defenders, and scored a sensational solo goal to make it 3-0.

Substitute Louise Ingavi rounded off the scoring in the extra time, pouncing on a loose ball after the Burundian goalkeeper parried a shot, completing Kenya's dominant performance.

The impressive win earned Kenya and Tanzania a ticket to the 2025 Afcon U-20 tournament.

Tanzania had earlier defeated Uganda's Hippos 2-1 in the first semifinal, setting up a highly anticipated final between the two East African powerhouses.

As the two teams prepare for their rematch in the final, Kenya is brimming with confidence, having shown significant improvement throughout the tournament.

Kenya's head coach, Salim Babu, was full of praise for his players after their dominant performance against Burundi.

He credited the team's success to their resilience and collective belief, and he remains optimistic about their chances of winning the final and even going further in the Afcon tournament.

"This team has a lot of potential," Babu said.

"What makes them tick is their belief in each other and their never-say-die attitude. Every player gives 100%, and that's why we can go even further in the competition. I believe we have what it takes to go all the way and win it."

Despite booking a spot to next year's Afcon, Babu emphasised the importance of keeping the focus on the Cecafa final.

"We need to get back to the drawing board and prepare for the final against Tanzania, who we faced in the group stage," he added.

"This final will be tougher, and we must be ready."