Kenya's Rising Stars begin their quest for a place at the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, when they face Burundi in their opening Group C fixture at Uhuru Stadium, Dar es Salaam, on Thursday, 17 September at 8PM.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsGilbert Selebwa's charges enter the contest knowing exactly what awaits them. Burundi already have three points on the board, after opening their campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over South Sudan on Tuesday, 15 September.Amini Nshimirimana scored twice before the break, with Sympathque Majidi adding two more after half-time to give Burundi the perfect start. The match was also interrupted for almost 30 minutes by a weather-related lighting problem.##NAJAVA_MECA_9962375##Burundi coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo described the victory as a perfect start, but Kenya now have the opportunity to immediately change the complexion of Group C.The three-team group leaves little room for error.Kenya will face South Sudan on Saturday, 19 September, meaning Thursday's meeting is effectively their first opportunity to establish their position in a race where only the group winner and the best second-placed team across the three groups will advance to the semifinals.The two finalists will then earn CECAFA's tickets to the 2027 U20 AFCON in Ghana.Kariobangi Sharks latest graduate reveals two lessons learnt after senior team promotionSelebwa banks on youth and experienceSelebwa has assembled a 25-man squad drawn from Kenyan clubs, schools and foreign academies, with seven players promoted from last year's U17 side.Raphael Omondi, Eugine Belety, Trevor Nasasiro, Yusuf Ahmed, Armstrong Omondi, Brighton Nacheri and Julius Ochieng have all made the step up to the Rising Stars.There is also some continuity from the previous U20 setup.Kenya receive invitation to inaugural U15 FIFA World Cup and FestivalGoalkeeper Bernard Jairo and defender Telena Ochieng return after being part of Kenya's previous U20 AFCON squad.Selebwa will also have experience on his technical bench, with former Ulinzi Stars coach Dunstan Nyaudo and former Harambee Stars midfielder Musa Otieno serving as his assistants.The coach has already acknowledged that squad depth could be important, given Kenya's compressed schedule."We know the fixtures are coming quickly, so every player has to be ready. We cannot afford to depend on only 11 players," Selebwa said.That issue could become particularly important against Burundi, who have already played a competitive match, while Kenya begin their campaign with no margin for a slow start.Kakamega Homeboyz launch new kits ahead of 2026-2027 FKF Premier League season [PHOTOS]Foreign-based players add another dimensionKenya's squad also includes four players based or developed abroad.Yusuf Ahmed plays for Swedish side Utsikten BK, Quincy Waithanji is with German club BFC Dynamo, and Keylah Mauko is attached to Spanish side CF Reus Deportiu.Sixteen-year-old Seedoph Zgoll, meanwhile, developed in England with Dereham FC, and earned his place in the final squad after impressing during preparations.Their presence gives Selebwa players exposed to different football environments, although the coach must still integrate them into a side containing schoolboys and players from Kenya's domestic game.##NAJAVA_MECA_9962374##The squad includes seven school-based players, while the rest are drawn largely from Kenyan clubs and the foreign-based contingent.At the back, Jairo is competing with Kariobangi Sharks' Wayne Orata and Ongata Academy's Theodore Mwangi for the goalkeeper's position, while Telena offers experience in defence.Burundi arrive with momentumBurundi could hardly have asked for a better opening.FKF, clubs reach agreement on league commencement dateThey overwhelmed South Sudan 4-0, with Nshimirimana's first-half double putting them firmly in control, before Majidi's two goals after the interval completed the rout.The result leaves Burundi top of Group C with three points and a +4 goal difference.More importantly, Rukundo's side now have the psychological benefit of having already experienced tournament conditions at Uhuru Stadium.Kenya, meanwhile, must quickly find a way into the competition."We have put together a squad that we believe is capable of competing at this level," Selebwa said ahead of the tournament. "There is a good balance of players from schools and clubs, and we are confident in what they can bring to the team."That balance will be tested immediately.Kenya have young players making the jump from U17 football, schoolboys stepping into international competition and a handful of players already exposed to senior club football. Burundi have already shown that they are capable of punishing mistakes.11 foreign-based players axed from Harambee Stars' final squad for 2027 AFCON qualifiersLittle room for errorThe mathematics of Group C make Thursday's fixture particularly important.A Kenya victory would put the Rising Stars level with Burundi on three points before Saturday's final group fixture against South Sudan.A draw would leave Kenya on one point and Burundi on four, making the South Sudan match considerably more important.##NAJAVA_MECA_9961656##A defeat would leave Kenya needing to beat South Sudan, and then depend on the wider results and goal-difference calculations to keep their semifinal hopes alive.The tournament format adds another layer of pressure. The three group winners and the best second-placed team qualify for the semifinals, meaning Kenya cannot simply focus on finishing above the other two teams in Group C.For Selebwa and his young squad, however, the immediate task is simpler: Stop Burundi's momentum.
35