Emerging Stars captain Kevin Wangaya has urged his teammates to remain focused as Kenya prepares to defend a three-goal advantage against Tanzania in the return leg of their 2027 Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations qualifier on 6 October.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsKenya travels to Dar es Salaam with a 4-1 cushion after an impressive first-leg win at the Nyayo National Stadium on Monday, with Wangaya starring in the commanding performance.##NAJAVA_MECA_9993164##The Nairobi United midfielder scored once and contributed to two other goals as Kenya took control of the tie.Wangaya first provided the cross that Lawrence Okoth converted in the first-half stoppage time before finding the net himself five minutes into the second half.Kelly Madada then restored Kenya’s three-goal advantage in the 74th minute after Tanzania had briefly threatened a comeback from the penalty spot.“I’m very happy to score in this game and to wear the captain’s armband,” the skipper said after the match.The 23-year-old came close to opening his account earlier when his curling effort beat the Tanzanian goalkeeper but struck the woodwork before eventually getting his goal after the break.Harambee Stars drop in provisional FIFA ranking following disappointing draw with EritreaDespite his individual contribution, Wangaya was more concerned about the team’s position heading into the second leg.“But most of all, I’m happy that Kenya is taking a healthy lead to Dar es Salaam for the second leg,” he added.Wangaya also revealed that he and Madada, close friends who shared a room before the match, prayed and encouraged each other ahead of the encounter.“We had a prayer, and yeah, we psyched each other up,” he said.Millions Kenyan-born Winfred Yavi is set to earn after historic Asian Games golden hat-trickHe was quick to shift attention away from their individual performances, insisting the entire squad deserves credit for putting Kenya in a strong position.“Please don’t focus on the two of us; focus on the whole team generally,” Wangaya said.With Tanzania now needing to overturn a three-goal deficit on home soil, Wangaya knows Kenya will have to remain disciplined to avoid allowing the hosts back into the contest.“We said, let’s give the country all we can give them,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_9993381##Anthony Kimani’s side will advance to the second qualifying round with an aggregate victory, where Côte d’Ivoire await in November.The qualifiers will determine the teams that reach the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2028 Olympic Games.
6