Kenya’s Junior Stars will begin their quest for a maiden appearance at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations when they take on Tanzania in their opening Group C fixture at the 2026 CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers in Rwanda on Saturday, 10 October (1700 EAT). Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsHead coach William Muluya’s charges enter the contest determined to secure a positive result and lay the foundation for a successful qualifying campaign, as they pursue a place at the 2027 continental finals in Morocco.Having pitched camp in Rwanda for nearly a week, the Kenyan youngsters have been preparing for the regional tournament with the objective of improving on last year’s performance, and taking the next step towards continental qualification.##NAJAVA_MECA_10017184##The Junior Stars progressed beyond the group stage at the 2025 edition, staged in Ethiopia, but their campaign ended in disappointment after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Tanzania in the semi-finals.Saturday’s encounter presents Kenya with an opportunity to avenge that defeat, while making an early statement in a competition where consistency will be vital to their ambitions.With Somalia also drawn in Group C, victory over Tanzania would put Kenya in a strong position to challenge for top spot, and strengthen their prospects of progressing to the semi-finals.Saturday double-header to open delayed FKF Premier League seasonSpeaking ahead of Saturday's clash, captain Ian Nzisa expressed confidence in the team’s ability to go a step further this time, insisting the players are determined to turn last year’s near miss into a historic achievement for the Junior Stars.Nzisa believes the experience gained during the previous campaign will provide valuable motivation as the team targets a place at the continental showpiece.“We are psyched up. We are here to do the job and give our best. Last year, we reached the semi-finals despite the near miss, but this time we are going over the line and reaching the finals, as we aim to make history by securing our first qualification for the tournament,” he stated.Mombasa United promoted to FKF Premier LeagueOn his part, assistant coach Peter Okidi has backed the captain’s ambitions, revealing that the technical bench believes the squad has sufficient depth to mount a serious challenge.“We all want it, and we have depth in the squad. We hope to go all the way. We will not put ourselves under pressure, though we want to reach the final. We will take the matches one at a time,” Okidi said.“For now, it is all about getting the players mentally right, and ensuring they are prepared to get through the tournament. This time, it is about reaching the final because we made the semi-finals in the last edition, and now we want to go a notch higher. That is what has brought us here in Rwanda,” he said.However Muluya’s charges face a formidable opponent in the Serengeti Boys, who have been a thorn in Kenya’s flesh at U-17 level, repeatedly standing between the Junior Stars and regional success.Who will rule the FKF Premier League? Mozzart Sport writers make their predictionsUnder coach Elieneza Nicolaus Nsanganzelu, Tanzania will head into Saturday’s showdown full of confidence, as they seek to extend their winning run against their neighbours to four consecutive victories.The Serengeti Boys defeated Kenya 1-0 in the group stage of the December 2024 CECAFA U-17 qualifiers, before eliminating them with a 3-1 victory in the semi-finals of the 2025 edition in Ethiopia.##NAJAVA_MECA_10016566##Tanzania went on to clinch the regional title, beating Uganda 3-2 in the final, and secured qualification for the 2026 U-17 AFCON in Morocco, where they subsequently progressed at the continental tournament, further underlining their pedigree in youth football.The recent results highlight the scale of the task awaiting Kenya, who are yet to register a victory over Tanzania in the meetings referenced above as they seek to halt the winless run.