Kenya Under-20 side settled for a barren draw after squandering a host of chances against Rwanda in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers staged at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The draw leaves Kenya second in Group A with four points, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout phases of the competition. Muchiri, Lokale dropped as Firat names Harambee Stars’ squad for Cameroon duelsEmerging Stars head coach Salim Babu stuck with his trusted starting 11 that opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over hosts Tanzania. Kenya posted a decent start to the game, occasionally having forays into the Rwandan final third but their efforts were easily thwarted. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8398995##A penalty shout from Kenya was waved away by the referee in the 28th minute when AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada cut inside and was brought down much to the frustration of Emerging Stars. Five minutes later Louise Ingavi released a ferocious shot but goalkeeper Francois Habineza was equal to the task with his parried effort hooked away to safety by his defenders. Firat explains Masud Juma’s Harambee Stars presence after 10-month injury layoffThe half drew to a close with both teams locked in a barren draw but Ibrahim Wanzala in the Kenyan goal saw little action.William Mwangi who was a menace on the left wing released a searching cross that was met by the head of Ingavi but the US-based player could not guide his effort on target. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8399011##Kenya were a threat with aerial balls and came close again in the 56th minute when a devilish free kick was whipped in but Ingavi’s glancing header that was destined for the top corner was brilliantly saved by Habineza. Kelly Madada was next in line when he failed to convert a cutback from Mwangi with his fluffed effort blocked by the defenders. Harambee Stars coach defends troubled Gor Mahia starIn the 87th minute, Aldrine Kibet weaved his way through the Rwandan defense with his trickery but his effort went agonisingly wide. Kenya wasted a number of chances in the final five minutes with Kibet being the culprit in a number as the sturdy Rwandan defense earned a hard-fought draw.
