Kenya U23 head coach Anthony 'Modo' Kimani has admitted that his side must address its defensive frailties ahead of a crucial two-legged encounter against Côte d’Ivoire in the second round of the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsKimani is particularly concerned by the number of goals conceded in the previous round, insisting that his players must improve defensively if they are to overcome the West Africans and move closer to qualification for the continental tournament.##NAJAVA_MECA_10088104##Kenya advanced to the second round after edging neighbours Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate. They secured a convincing 4-1 victory in the first leg at home before suffering a 3-1 defeat in the return fixture in Tanzania, with their advantage from the opening match proving decisive.However, the four goals conceded across the two encounters have left Kimani with plenty to address ahead of the tougher challenge against Côte d’Ivoire.“Conceding four goals across two matches is an aspect of our game we need to fix, and fix very, very fast,” he told The Star.Court provides update on petition seeking clarity on Bayern versus Ajax fundingKenya will host Côte d’Ivoire in the first leg on Wednesday, 11 November, before travelling to Abidjan for the return fixture on Tuesday, 17 November, with the aggregate winner advancing to the third and final qualifying round.The 2027 U-23 AFCON, which will be staged in Egypt, will also serve as the qualification tournament for the 2028 Olympic Games.Kimani has also cited the limited preparation time during the international window as another challenge, admitting that the available period is insufficient to fully implement his tactical plans.Why Kenya shelved plans to have Barcelona vs Arsenal launch Talanta Stadium“The unfortunate bit is that in a small FIFA window, you only have about seven days to ensure everybody understands what we are trying to do as a team. It is not enough time,” he said.“With more time together, the players will understand their roles better and be able to carry out our plans more effectively,” he added.Despite the challenges, the coach remains optimistic about his squad's ability to respond to the demands of the tie, while emphasising the need for improvements across all departments.“We have a group of players who believe in what we are trying to achieve. We must correct our mistakes and prepare well for this challenge,” he said.The team is expected to enter camp as preparations gather pace ahead of the two decisive encounters.Life long AFC Leopards fan eyeing win over Ingwe as 3K FC captain
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