The national men's U23 football team, Emerging Stars, face a defining test of their 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations ambitions when they host Ivory Coast in the first leg of the second-round qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, 11 November.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsKick-off is scheduled for 3 pm, with Anthony Kimani's charges seeking to secure a positive home result before travelling to Abidjan for the return leg on Tuesday, 17 November.The encounter presents a significant step up in opposition for Kenya, who survived a difficult two-legged contest against neighbours Tanzania to book their place in the second round.##NAJAVA_MECA_10104647##The Emerging Stars advanced with a 5-4 aggregate victory, having registered an emphatic 4-1 win in the first leg at Nyayo before losing 3-1 in Dar es Salaam.Although the result secured qualification, the four goals conceded across the two matches exposed defensive weaknesses that could prove costly against a more experienced Ivorian side.Kimani has already acknowledged the need to address those shortcomings, pointing to the limited preparation time available during the FIFA international window.Government assesses readiness of Talanta Stadium ahead of Bayern vs Ajax clash [PHOTOS]“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.“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.With more time together, the players will understand their roles better and be able to carry out our plans more effectively,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_10105803##The Kenyan coach will therefore be looking for greater defensive discipline without compromising the attacking approach that delivered five goals against Tanzania.He has also received a timely boost with the return of several players who were unavailable during the first round.Celta Vigo forward Aldrine Kibet is among the notable additions after missing the Tanzania fixtures due to work permit issues in Spain. Tusker's Stephen Omondi, United States-based Jack Munene and Sweden-based Humphrey Aroko have also joined the squad.Oga Obinna explains how Kenyan football can attract more fansKibet and Aroko bring additional attacking options, having featured for Kenya at various youth levels and the senior national team.However, Kimani will be without Kelly Madada, who is suspended, while defender Joseph Bate misses out through injury.Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will pose a formidable challenge, with head coach Sébastien Bannier naming a 23-man squad that includes several players from European clubs.Mildred Cheche ecstatic after completing life-changing FIFA coaching courseSunderland forward Jocelin Ta Bi headlines the selection, alongside Christ Tapé of Toulouse, Eddy Doué of Estrela Amadora, Mamadou Koné of Lorient, Toumani Diakité of Slavia Prague and Valy Konaté of Cercle Brugge.The Ivorians received a bye in the first round and will be making their first appearance in the qualifying campaign when they take to the Nyayo pitch.That gives them the advantage of avoiding the earlier qualifying hurdle, although the lack of competitive action in the campaign means Wednesday's encounter will be their first test.##NAJAVA_MECA_10105838##For Kenya, home advantage could prove crucial. Kimani's men will need to produce a disciplined performance and take their chances if they are to travel to West Africa with a realistic opportunity of reaching the final qualifying round.The return leg will be played on Tuesday, 17 November, at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the third and final qualifying round, where they will face either Tunisia or Benin.Aldrine Kibet rallies fans ahead of Kenya U23 clash against Ivory CoastThe 2027 U23 AFCON finals will be staged in Egypt, with the tournament also serving as Africa's qualification pathway to the men's football competition at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.