The Kenya National U17 team has been slated to take part in the 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations CECAFA Region Qualifying tournament between August 11, and August 26, 2018, in Tanzania.
The team, which kicked off preparations for the tourney on July 26, 2018, in Nairobi, played out a 1-1 draw with the Gor Mahia U20 team in the first of a number of buildup friendly matches lined up.
“We have lined up a number of friendly matches to keep the players both physically and mentally in shape for the tourney,” said coach Michael Amenga, who will lead the team’s technical bench that also includes Kibera Black Stars tactician Godfrey Oduor, Nick Yakhama, and former Kenyan International goalkeeper Jerim Onyango.
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“We came fourth at the CECAFA U17 Championships in Burundi in April and are looking at building up on the experience. I’m confident that with adequate preparations, we will get positive results,” he added.
The regional qualification tournament is set to determine which team takes part in the 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in May 2019 alongside Tanzania, who gain automatic qualification by virtue of being the hosts. The overall winner will thus get the spot, while the runners-up could also make it in case Tanzania emerges champions.
Kenya has been pooled in Group B alongside Uganda, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan and Djibouti. Group A comprises hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and Sudan.