Kenya’s U23 side produced a commanding display at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday, 28 September thrashing neighbours Tanzania 4-1 in the first leg of their U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) first-round qualifier.Paul Osama, Lawrence Okoth, Kevin Wangaya and Kelly Madada were all on target as the Emerging Stars put themselves in a strong position ahead of the return leg in the two-legged tie.Download Our MozzartSport App For More NewsKenya entered the contest seeking a positive start in their bid to qualify for next year’s U23 AFCON finals in Egypt, with victory over Tanzania potentially setting up a second-round meeting with Ivory Coast.The hosts made their intentions clear from the opening exchanges, taking the lead inside the first minute.Wangaya spread play wide to Henry Omollo, who controlled the ball before laying it into the box. Osama reacted quickest, using his thigh to direct the ball into the roof of the net and give Kenya an early advantage.Baraza identifies former Shabana striker as best solution to Harambee Stars’ scoring woesEmerging Stars almost doubled their lead in the 10th minute when a neat combination between captain Wangaya and Andreas Odhiambo released Omollo, but the Mufulira Wanderers striker could not find the target.Tanzania gradually settled into the contest and came close to an equaliser through Mohamed Ismail. The AIK Stockholm forward combined with Zidane Ally, who returned the ball into his path, but Ismail failed to direct his effort on target.The visitors threatened again in the 18th minute when Ismail dribbled into the box before finding Ally, who was unable to finish the opportunity.##NAJAVA_MECA_9991856##Kenya responded with two chances in quick succession. Omollo beat his marker before curling a right-footed effort narrowly wide, while moments later he raced clear and delivered a cut-back towards Lawrence Okoth, who could not make the required run to connect.Wangaya then came close in the 26th minute after picking up a loose ball about 25 yards from goal. The Nairobi United midfielder attempted a looping effort that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.Tanzania continued to search for an equaliser, with Ismail forcing Kenya goalkeeper Kammar Caleb into a save in the 35th minute after being picked out by Ahmed Bakari.Kenya remained dangerous going forward and nearly added a second seven minutes before the break when Baron Ochieng’s inswinging delivery found Wycliffe Omondi, whose effort narrowly missed the target.Duarte questions CAF draw ahead of Guinea, Kenya clashTanzania striker Bakari Selemani then came close five minutes before half-time after dribbling into the Kenyan box, but his left-footed effort rolled wide.Kenya eventually doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time.Wangaya delivered another inviting ball into the box, where Okoth met it with a well-struck right-footed volley that flew into the roof of the net, sending the Emerging Stars into the interval with a 2-0 lead.Kenya resumed the second half with the same intensity and extended their advantage five minutes after the restart.Ochieng picked out Wangaya, who dribbled past Paul Osinde before firing a left-footed effort underneath Tanzania goalkeeper Omary Abdallah to make it 3-0.##NAJAVA_MECA_9991868##Tanzania responded almost immediately, reducing the deficit three minutes later through Sheikham Ibrahim Khamis from the penalty spot. The midfielder sent Kammar the wrong way after Omondi handled the ball inside the box.The Anthony Kimani led charges continued to create opportunities and almost restored their three-goal cushion in the 60th minute. Ouma Lawrence connected with another dangerous delivery from Ochieng, but his header failed to trouble Abdallah.Substitute Syphas Otieno came close 20 minutes from time after combining with Wangaya, but his effort from just outside the six-yard area missed by a narrow margin.Tanzania pushed forward in search of a second goal and attempted to build momentum, but Kenya remained composed and eventually restored their three-goal advantage through Madada.Inside Tanzania’s NBC Championship: What Kenya’s NSL can learn from the second tierThe AFC Leopards midfielder capitalised on a poorly cleared ball by the Tanzanian defence, turned sharply and curled a low effort beyond Abdallah to make it 4-1.Tanzania pushed numbers forward in the closing stages in search of a late comeback, but Kenya held firm to secure a convincing first-leg victory.The Emerging Stars will now carry a three-goal advantage into the return leg on Saturday, 10 October.A draw would be enough to send Kenya through to the second qualification round, where Ivory Coast awaits in November.
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