Kenya's Emerging Stars lose 3-1 in Tanzania but go through 5-4 on aggregate

Kenya's Emerging Stars lost 3-1 to Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday 6 October but won the tie 5-4 on aggregate and reached the second round of qualifying for the 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, The Standard reported on 6 October.

The Emerging Stars, Kenya's Under-23 national team, will now play Ivory Coast. The first leg of that tie is scheduled for November.

Kenya built the cushion in the first leg at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on 28 September, winning 4-1, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and The Standard reported on 28 September. Paul Osama scored in the first minute, Lawrence Okoth in first-half stoppage time, captain Kevin Wangaya in the 50th minute and Kelly Madada in the 75th, CAF reported. Tanzania's only goal came from a penalty in the 54th minute.

In the return leg at Uhuru Stadium, Sheikhan Khamis put Tanzania ahead in the 17th minute, Pulse Sports reported on 6 October. Selemani Mwalimu headed a second before half-time to cut Kenya's aggregate lead to 4-3, Eastleigh Voice reported on 6 October. Kenya brought on Collins Akite and Andreas Odhiambo at the break.

Odhiambo scored for Kenya to make it 5-3 on aggregate. Mwalimu then converted a penalty for his second goal and Tanzania's third.

Madada and Irad Mshindi were booked for Antony Kimani's side. A late Tanzania free-kick went wide in five minutes of added time before the final whistle.

The tie was a first-round pairing in qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2027.

A final qualifying round follows in March 2027, and eight teams will reach the continental finals, The Standard reported on 28 September.