National U20 team attacking midfielder Aldrine Kibet is the latest player to back the team to advance to the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) finals and seal a place in the World Cup.The Kenyan team, commonly known as Rising Stars, will feature in the AFCON finals scheduled to run between 26 April to 18 May in Ivory Coast, in what will be their first appearance in the tournament. With just a month to the tournament, a handful of the players, who were part of the team that successfully sought the ticket, have expressed confidence in making it to the top four, and bagging a World Cup ticket. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8736097##The top four teams in the tournament, that will be comprised of 13 nations, will secure spots in the FIFA U20 World Cup, that is expected to be played between 27 September to 19 October, in Chile. Captain Amos Wanjala, attacking midfielder Tyron Kariuki are among the players, who have expressed optimism in Rising Stars joining the national U17 girls’ team, the Rising Starlets, in playing at the World Cup. Spain-based Wanjala confident in Rising Stars World Cup chancesKibet, who plies his trade with Nastic Academy in Spain believes the Kenyan boys are good enough to deliver in Ivory Coast, even when all odds appear to be stacked against them. “We have a chance of achieving a top four finish at the AFCON based on the team we had during the qualifiers,” said Kibet in an exclusive telephone interview with Mozzart Sport. Babu tips Rising Stars to shine in Ivory Coast, opens up on World Cup chancesThe expected presence of scouts in the tournament is a factor which Kibet feels will motivate the Kenyan boys to give their best in the tournament, as outstanding players have always secured lucrative deals in Europe. “Everyone in the team that played in the qualifiers feelsl we have chance to qualify to the World Cup. The motivation to play at the World Cup and perhaps getting deals will motivate everyone to give their best,” said the former student at St. Anthony’s Boys, Kitale. Why highly-rated Rising Stars midfielder chose KCB over move to EuropeMeanwhile, with Kenya set to face defending champions Senegal in Group C, the former national U18 team attacker is confident that the holders will not be a match to the Stars.” It will be a tough match, but I believe we have what it takes to beat them,” he said.Kenya will also face Sierra Leone and Zambia in the other group stage matches.
