Kenya’s Emerging Starlets have booked their place in the final of the 2026 CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers after edging hosts Rwanda 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time on Friday.The U-15 girls produced another composed display at Kigali Pelé Stadium in what was their third match of the day to move within one victory of securing the CECAFA region’s ticket to the continental championship.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe tournament kicked off on Thursday, 3 September while Kenya’s back-to-back victories over South Sudan and Somalia came on Friday, 4 September the second day of the tournament. The Kenya U-15 girls had started their campaign with a goalless draw against Tanzania on the opening day before finding their scoring boots in spectacular fashion on Friday.##NAJAVA_MECA_936815##They first dismantled South Sudan 7-0, with Abigael Cheruto starring with four goals, while Cindy Oyoko, Fridah Parloma and Christine Nyawira also got on the scoresheet. Kenya then followed that performance with another ruthless display, thumping Somalia 8-0 in their second match of the day. The two emphatic victories propelled Kenya to the top of Group B and set up a semi-final meeting with hosts Rwanda, who emerged from the other side of the competition to secure their place in the last four. Emerging Starlets storm CECAFA semis as boys bow outThe top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals, with the eventual zonal winners earning the right to represent CECAFA at the CAF African Schools Football Championship continental stage. The semi-final, which kicked off at 3:30pm at Kigali Pelé Stadium, proved a much tougher examination for the Kenyans.Unlike their goal-laden group-stage outings, the Emerging Starlets found themselves locked in a closely fought contest against a determined Rwandan side.Neither team could find the decisive breakthrough in normal time, with the match ending 1-1 and forcing the tie into a penalty shootout to determine who would advance to Saturday's final.STARS ABROAD: Olunga features in Al Arabi win as Ouma inactive in PolandKenya held their nerve when it mattered most.The youngsters converted their spot-kicks with composure to eventually prevail 5-4 on penalties, sending the Emerging Starlets into the final and ending Rwanda's hopes of progressing on home soil.The victory caps an impressive turnaround for Kenya after their opening-day stalemate and underlines the attacking quality and resilience within the young side.Attention now shifts to the final, where Kenya will face Tanzania on Saturday, 5 September at Kigali Pelé Stadium.Blow as Harambee Stars defender is ruled out for rest of 2026-2027 season in EnglandThe decisive encounter will determine the CECAFA zonal champion and, more importantly, the team that will represent the region at the forthcoming CAF African Schools Football Championship continental stage.