Kenya’s Junior Stars have been drawn alongside Tanzania and Djibouti for the forthcoming CECAFA U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.The draw places Kenya in one of three groups for the regional tournament, with the Junior Stars beginning their quest for a maiden appearance at the continental U-17 finals.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe qualifiers will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 10-20 October, with three teams from the CECAFA region set to secure tickets to the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.Kenya will face Tanzania and Djibouti in Group C, with their results determining whether they progress to the knockout stages and remain in contention for one of the available continental slots.##NAJAVA_MECA_9981529##The tournament brings together 10 nations from the CECAFA region, with hosts Rwanda joined by Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.According to the draw, Group A comprises hosts Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan, making it the only four-team group.Group B features Uganda, Ethiopia and Burundi, while Kenya, Tanzania and Djibouti make up Group C.The top three finishers at the Kigali tournament will qualify for the 2027 U-17 AFCON, meaning the finalists and the winners of the third-place playoff will book their places at the continental finals.US-based Kenyan youngster eager to solve Harambee Stars problematic positionThe draw gives Kenya another opportunity to build on their experience from the previous CECAFA U-17 qualifiers, where they finished fourth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2025.The Junior Stars progressed from their group after drawing 1-1 with Somalia, before beating Rwanda 2-1.The team then beat South Sudan 2-0 before suffering a 1-0 defeat to hosts Ethiopia. They finished second in Group A to reach the semi-finals.Kenya's campaign, however, ended in the knockout stage after a 3-1 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Tanzania. McCarthy cries foul after going months without salary at Harambee StarsArmstrong Omondi scored Kenya's consolation goal in that encounter.The Junior Stars then missed out on the final continental ticket after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Ethiopia in the third-place playoff, finishing fourth overall.The meeting with Tanzania in this year's Group C gives Kenya an early opportunity to face the defending regional champions, who secured the 2025 title after beating Uganda in the final.
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