Rising Stars captain Amos Wanjala is confident the team will secure a top-four finish at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20), and become the second Kenyan team to qualify for the World Cup.The Kenyan U20 team, commonly known as Rising Stars, will making the first appearance at the AFCON finals slated to run between, 26 April to 18 May in Ivory Coast. The top four teams in the tournament, that is consisted of 13 nations, will seal spots in 2025 t%FIFA World Cup finals in Chile. Stars made it to the AFCON by virtue of finishing second in the CECAFA qualifiers held in, October last year in, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8726960##Last year, the Kenyan girls’ U17 team, the Rising Starlets made history by becoming the first team to play at the World Cup as they featured at the FIFA U17 finals held in the Dominican Republic. While some of Rising Stars members have been coy on their chances to punch a ticket to Chile, Wanjala is not afraid to express his confidence, despite Kenya being drawn in a relatively tough pool. The Kenyan boys will up be up against; defending champions Senegal, Zambia and Sierra Leone in Group C of the tournament. “I am one hundred percent that we will qualify for the World Cup,” said the Spain-based Wanjala in an exclusive telephone interview. Rising Stars goalkeeper hoping to hit top form as AFCON U20 beckonsWanjala, who is attached to fifth tier side AC Torrellano, however, acknowledges that the team will have to give their best if the World Cup dream is to be realised. ” I always take everything positively. Of course, nothing is going to be easy, but I will give my best for the team and my country like I have always done,” said the central defender. When asked on the possibility of Kenya beating Senegal and ultimately dethroning them, Wanjala, who has previously served as the national U18 team captain, said it was possible for the title to land in Nairobi. Babu tips Rising Stars to shine in Ivory Coast, opens up on World Cup chances” I respect the fact that they are the defending champions. I believe we have a good team that is prepared to give the best.The aim is to bring the title home and move to the next level, the World Cup,” added Wanjala, who has since played for the U23 team, Emerging Stars and has a senior team cap.
