Tanzania extended their age-grade dominance over Kenya after securing a 2-0 victory over Junior Stars in the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA regional qualifiers at Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda, on Saturday, 10 October. Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsFirst-half strike from Didmas Shida Athanas and Geoffrey Nkuba’s second-half effort handed the Serengeti Boys maximum points, strengthening their bid to defend the regional crown while leaving Kenya facing a must-win final group fixture.AFCON U-17 Q: Kenya, Tanzania renew rivalry in crucial CECAFA openerJunior Stars entered the encounter seeking to end Tanzania’s dominance in their recent meetings, but despite creating several promising opportunities, they were unable to convert their chances into goals.Kenya started brightly, with midfielder Yusif Mohammed firing over the crossbar after collecting Morgan Omondi’s pass ten minutes into the contest.##NAJAVA_MECA_10017146##Tanzania responded through Renny Matatizo, who picked out Shida with a delivery, but the latter failed to direct his close-range effort on target, missing an opportunity to break the deadlock.The Serengeti Boys continued to threaten, with Moses Maduka combining with Barua Hamis before sending his volley narrowly wide. Nicholas Ocholla and Myron Malcom also came close, but neither could find the target as Kenya searched for an opener.Migori Youth defender returns after one year out following career-threatening heart conditionHowever, Tanzania eventually took the lead against the run of play when Shida Athanas evaded his markers before slotting home, punishing Kenya for their inability to make their early dominance count.The Serengeti Boys nearly doubled their advantage through Sadam Husein, whose effort narrowly missed the upright after receiving a pass from Maduka.##NAJAVA_MECA_10017279##Kenya survived another scare before the interval when Farajila Moshi failed to make clean contact with Shida’s delivery, sending his attempt wide as Tanzania went into the break with a slender advantage.Nkuba seals Tanzania’s victoryTanzania resumed with greater authority and extended their lead in the 57th minute through Nkuba, who reacted quickest to a poorly cleared ball before steering it into the net.STARS ABROAD: Olunga features as Masud Juma shines with braceThe second goal forced Kenya to push forward in search of a response, with Carrilus Omware missing an opportunity from Yusif Mohammed’s delivery with 20 minutes remaining.Tanzania remained dangerous on the counterattack, but Moshi squandered a chance to add a third after failing to keep his effort on target.##NAJAVA_MECA_10017236##Junior Stars continued to pursue a consolation goal, and defender Moses Ocholla came close ten minutes from time when he rose highest to meet Alvin Midimo’s delivery, only to direct his header wide.Kenya’s late attempts to mount a comeback ultimately proved fruitless as Tanzania held firm to secure a crucial victory and move to the top of Group C.CAF mulling return of AFCON to biennial competition – MotsepeThe defeat extended Kenya’s winless run to four matches against Tanzania, leaving Junior Stars needing a convincing victory over Somalia to strengthen their chances of reaching the semi-finals as one of the best-placed runners-up.