Rising Stars assistant coach Anthony Akhulia has praised his midfielder Kevin Wangaya following his impressive performance in the just concluded U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.Wangaya emerged as a star in the heart of Kenya’s midfield where he mainly operates as a box-to-box midfielder with excellent linkages between the lines.##NAJAVA_MECA_8424562##The midfielder, who plies his trade with Albanian side FK Apolonia, scored four goals and assisted once to help Kenya reach the finals where they lost 2-1 to hosts Tanzania.Speaking to Pulse Sports Kenya after the match, the Rising Stars assistant coach praised the player, especially after announcing himself to the world.Government donates Ksh1.8 million to Kenya U20 after maiden AFCON qualification“Looking at how the team has always been playing, Kevo (Wangaya) came in and has done a very good job. It was a great opportunity for people to see him because not many knew him,” said Akhulia.Many pundits and observers had tipped the 18-year-old to emerge as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) but that was not meant to be as the award was won by Tanzania’s Sabri Kondo who scored five goals.##NAJAVA_MECA_8424544##Nevertheless, the Bidco United tactician appreciated the importance of Wangaya to the team.“Wangaya has been an important part of us. He played in Malawi during the U20 tournament and also in the U18s last year,” he stated.Austin Odhiambo on how AFC Leopards fans played part in crucial point of his careerAkhulia further tipped the Nairobi-born midfielder to form a strong and formidable partnership with Stanley Wilson who missed the tournament due to club commitments with his Swedish club AIK.“He has taken us to another level and now we have an option. When Stanley comes back, the midfield will be sorted,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_8424555##Despite losing in the final, the Rising Stars made it to the 2025 U20 AFCON to become the first Kenyan age-group side to qualify since 1972.
