Kenya Rising Stars at CECAFA U-20 AFCON Qualifiers: Squad, Format and Burundi Defeat

Kenya's under-20 men's team, the Rising Stars, travelled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the CECAFA qualifiers for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. The regional tournament ran from 15 to 24 September 2026, with all matches played at the renovated Uhuru Stadium.

The campaign started badly. Kenya lost their opening Group C match 2-0 to Burundi, leaving coach Gilbert Selebwa's side needing a result against South Sudan to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The format: only two tickets to Ghana

Nine teams entered the CECAFA qualifiers, split into three groups of three. Group A featured hosts Tanzania with Ethiopia and Rwanda, Group B had Uganda, Sudan and Djibouti, and Kenya were drawn in Group C with Burundi and South Sudan.

The three group winners and the best runner-up advanced to the semi-finals, which were scheduled for 22 September. The two teams that reached the final earned the region's two places at the 2027 U-20 AFCON in Ghana.

Passport problems hit the squad

Kenya's preparations were disrupted before the team even travelled. Selebwa initially invited up to 70 prospects before cutting the squad to 25, but several talented players missed out because they did not have valid passports in time. The coach said the short preparation window made it impossible to process travel documents for everyone.

The final squad mixed school-based prospects with players already registered at clubs, giving Selebwa a young but inexperienced group for his first tournament in charge.

Burundi 2-0 Kenya

Burundi showed why they were among the favourites. Amini Nshimirimana scored both goals, first rounding goalkeeper Wayne Orata after a defensive error in the tenth minute, then heading in a second after the break.

Selebwa admitted afterwards that Burundi were the better side and deserved the win. He said it was his first match since assembling the squad and that his team had clear weaknesses to fix. With Burundi also beating South Sudan 4-0, the Burundians took control of the group with six points from two games.

Why youth tournaments matter for Kenyan football

Youth tournaments like this are important because they give young players international experience and a pathway to the senior Harambee Stars.

Problems with passports and short preparation time are a recurring issue for Kenyan youth teams. Planning travel documents and training camps well in advance would give future squads a fairer chance to compete.

How the tournament ended

Kenya did not reach the semi-finals. Burundi topped Group C with six points after beating both Kenya and South Sudan, and the semi-final line-up was Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania and Burundi.

On 22 September at Uhuru Stadium, Sudan beat Uganda 3-2 and hosts Tanzania beat Burundi 2-0, according to CAF. As finalists, Sudan and Tanzania took CECAFA's two places at the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Why preparation was so difficult

Selebwa explained that many players from Kenya's previous U-20 squad were now too old, so he had to build a new team quickly. He scouted more than 70 prospects, but many were either over the age limit or did not have passports that could be processed in time. He turned to the KSSSA national finals for talent, and his final squad included seven schoolboys, eleven Kenyan Premier League players and four foreign-based players, according to Citizen Digital.

He called on the federation and the government to fix the gaps, saying early planning is essential if Kenyan youth teams are to compete.

What Kenya can learn from its neighbours

Tanzania and Uganda have invested heavily in youth football in recent years, with regular youth leagues, school competitions and national team camps that run all year. Teams that play together often arrive at tournaments with better understanding and confidence.

What needs to change

• Start identifying and registering U-20 players at least a year before qualifiers.
• Help young players apply for passports early, through the federation and schools.
• Organise regular friendlies so the squad gains international experience.
• Link the U-17, U-20 and senior teams with a shared playing style.

Players to watch

Some of the schoolboys and young Premier League players in this squad could still develop into senior internationals. The experience of playing against Burundi, who reached the semi-finals, will be useful for their development.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations?

The 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Ghana.

Who coaches Kenya's Rising Stars?

Gilbert Selebwa was the Rising Stars head coach for the 2026 CECAFA U-20 qualifiers.