Kenya’s Rising Stars Touch Down in Tanzania for High-Stakes AFCON U20 CECAFA Qualifiers

Kenya’s U-20 national men’s football team, the Rising Stars, have safely landed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 CAF U-20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers. The team touched down over the weekend to intensify their final tournament preparations and acclimate to the local environment.The tournament, which features regional youth powerhouses fighting for continental qualification, will run from September 15 to September 25, 2026. All matches for Kenya’s pool are scheduled to take place at the renovated Uhuru Stadium.Under the tactical guidance of head coach Gilbert Selebwa, the Rising Stars have been drawn into a competitive Group C, alongside regional rivals Burundi and South Sudan. Having narrowly missed out on the top regional honors after a tough 2-1 defeat against Tanzania in the previous edition's final, the Kenyan youngsters enter this campaign with a chip on their shoulders and a point to prove.Coach Selebwa's final squad blends elite school-based prospects with proven club-based talents. The primary mission remains clear: book a ticket back to the continental showpiece. To achieve this, Kenya must target the top spot, as only the three group winners and the single best runner-up will progress to the tournament's semi-finals.The Rising Stars will kick off their campaign on Thursday, September 17, 2026, against Burundi at 8:00 PM. They will have a quick turnaround to rest before their second and final group fixture against South Sudan on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 2:00 PM.