Kenya national U17 boys team Junior Stars will fight for their place in the semifinals of the U-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers on Saturday afternoon when they take on rivals and host Uganda in their final Group A fixture at Hamz Nakivubo Stadium.Sitting bottom of the pool, Kenya will have to win to book a place in the last four, having lost their first match in the competition to Tanzania (1-0) on Wednesday.U-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers 2024Tanzania and South Sudan have already booked their slots in the qualifiers semifinals. On Saturday, one spot up is for grabs in Group A between Uganda and Kenya while the other spot in Group B, its Somalia and Sudan contending for it. What’s… pic.twitter.com/tQY5bFhPjD— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) December 20, 2024 Tanzania are already through with four points, while Uganda need at least a draw, as they are on one point, acquired on the opening day of the championship.Only the top two finalists will secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17 championship scheduled for March in Morocco.Battle for top spot dominates final league weekend of 2024Kenya’s coach Salim Babu expressed optimism on the team making it through past the group stages saying: “It was a really great achievement with the U20, and it would be amazing to replicate that with this younger side.“I believe we have assembled a strong squad in a short time. The players are motivated by the achievements of their compatriots and want to make history themselves. We’ll give it our all to reach our goal.”In Group B, Sudan and defending champions Somalia will battle for second-place after losses to top-of-the-table South Sudan.##NAJAVA_MECA_8586039##The all-stakes clash will be the curtain-raiser for Kenya’s match against Tanzania kicking off at 1300 EAT at the same venue.Should Kenya sail through, they will play in the semifinals on Christmas Eve.
