Burundi U20 head coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo has revealed the message he delivered to his players before they ended their long wait for a first victory over Kenya at U20 level.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Fighting Swallows defeated Kenya’s Rising Stars 2-0 at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Thursday to seal their place in the semi-finals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers.A brace from Amini Nshimirimana secured Burundi’s second straight win in Group C and, more importantly for Rukundo, ended Kenya’s dominance in previous U20 meetings between the two sides.##NAJAVA_MECA_9964524##Kenya had won the previous two encounters, including a 4-0 victory in the last edition of the competition, before Burundi finally turned the tables.Rukundo, a CAF A license holder who has coached clubs including Flambeau du Centre and Musongati in Burundi and Espoir in Rwanda, said the previous defeats provided extra motivation for his players.Speaking to Mozzart Sport after the match, the experienced coach revealed that he reminded his players of Kenya’s dominance and challenged them to change the narrative.“This was a match we took very seriously because of our past results against Kenya. They were used to defeating us, so I told the boys before the game, that this cannot continue," Rukundo said.“We told them that it was our time, that we had changed, and that we were ready for them. The result showed that.”Burundi stun Kenya in U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiersHe also credited his side’s preparations for their impressive performance, despite the limited recovery time between their opening 4-0 win over South Sudan and Thursday’s encounter with Kenya.The tight schedule left Burundi with little time to rest, but Rukundo believes the team can now shift its attention to recovering and preparing for the semi-final.“Our preparations were good, especially considering the conditions under which we came here. The matches have been following each other closely, so we have not had enough time to rest, but now that we have qualified for the semi-finals, we have some time to recover and prepare ourselves mentally for the next match.”Junior Starlets sweat over four key absentees as World Cup preps intensifyThe semi-final will carry added significance for Burundi, who were eliminated by Kenya the last time they reached the last four of the competition.The coach believes that experience, coupled with their current form, can give his players the belief to go a step further this time and secure a place at the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.“The first goal has been achieved. Now we focus on the semi-final,” he added.His ambitions, however, extend beyond simply progressing from the group stage. “Our plan when coming here was to bring that cup home, and we will try until the end,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968490##Rukundo also offered his assessment of where Kenya fell short, pointing to their approach to the game rather than a lack of ability.“Kenya came into match underestimating us. That is the cause that put them out,” he offered.Kenya will now face South Sudan on Saturday, 19 September, in a decisive Group C encounter, needing a result to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals and securing a place at the 2027 U20 AFCON alive.Meanwhile, Burundi will face the winner of Group A in the semi-final on 22 September, while the Group B winners will meet the best runner-up from the three groups.Meet former Leicester City forward called up to Kenya U-23 squadThe two finalists will qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.