Kenya U17 boys’ team head coach Salim Babu says the U17 AFCON qualifiers in Uganda have been a valuable learning experience for his young players, despite a disappointing campaign that saw Kenya exit at the group stage.The Junior Stars lost both their group matches, failing to score a single goal. They began with a narrow 1-0 loss to Tanzania before being handed a heavy 5-0 defeat by hosts Uganda, which ended their hopes of qualifying for next year’s U17 AFCON.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586149##Reflecting on the tournament, coach Babu gave an honest assessment, acknowledging that despite the heavy losses, the experience has been an eye-opener for the team’s management.“This tournament has been full of lessons for us—the technical bench, the players and the football community as a whole,” Babu said.The team had just over a week of training before heading to Uganda, which Babu, who also coaches Kenya’s U20 AFCON-bound team, believes was insufficient preparation time.He emphasized that for the U17 side to compete effectively, they need more time in camp ahead of tournaments.Uganda U-17 vs Kenya U-17 goals.#TeamKenya pic.twitter.com/eAfXjfSQ62— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) December 22, 2024 “Preparations for such tournaments should start much earlier. You need to conduct MRI testing in advance, so if any players need replacing, you can do that and still have time to work with the new team. That’s where we fell short this time,” Babu explained.He added that longer preparation periods would also allow coaches to better communicate instructions and mentally prepare the players for the challenges ahead.”These kids need special attention. Their ability to absorb instructions is slower, which is understandable at their age. That’s why we need more time to evaluate and train them thoroughly, both physically and mentally, for such high-level competitions,” he said.Shabana FC head coach questions Mathew Tegisi’s move to Tanzanian clubDespite the poor showing, Babu remains positive, stating that the experience was a necessary step in the players’ development.“Even though the results were tough, this tournament was important for their growth. They now have a taste of international competition, which will help them in future challenges. They’re talented but lacked exposure. The experience will benefit them in the long run, and I’m confident they’ll become better players for both their clubs and the national team,” he concluded.The team is set to return to Kenya on Tuesday after suffering elimination from the CECAFA region U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.Sofapaka keeper on football’s mental aspect after recovering from serious howler
