Kenya’s Junior Stars defender Raphael Omondi is upbeat and expecting a good show as the team faces Tanzania in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (AFCON CECAFA) U-17 qualifiers semi-finals on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

The two sides will lock horns at the Abebe Bikila Stadium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, starting at 12:00 pm local time, with a ticket to the 2026 AFCON U-17 in sight.

A win against Tanzania will keep Kenya on course for a place at the 2026 AFCON U17 finals in Morocco, as the finalists will earn CECAFA’s two tickets to the showpiece to be staged in the North African country.

Raphael Omondi upbeat

Speaking ahead of the clash, Omondi said the William Muluya boys will give their best to play at AFCON U-17 next year.

”We will give our best; we will give our hearts. The battle is not easy, but we will fight to give our best in that match. We are excited to reach this stage. All I can tell our fans back home is that we are ready,” Raphael Omondi said.

Junior Stars reached the semi-final stage of the competition after finishing second in Group A behind hosts Ethiopia. The Kenyan boys had a fair run in the qualifiers after recording two wins, a draw and a defeat in their four outings.

Junior Stars drew 1-1 with Somalia in their opening fixture of the AFCON U17 qualifiers, came from behind to beat Rwanda 2-1, and edged South Sudan 2-0. The Kenyan side then lost 1-0 to hosts Ethiopia, qualifying for the semis with seven points.

Junior Stars’ squad features a mix of promising talents drawn from school teams, many of whom impressed during the recent regional scouting and training camps.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers: Georgian Chris, Golan Oliech, William Owino

Defenders: Cosmas Asunga, Eugene Ochieng, Nevil Simiyu, Stephen Ochieng, Edwin Annan, Raphael Omondi, Brighton Moses, Julius Ochieng, Trevor Maluki

Midfielders: Derrick Mchiti, Wayne Wamaya, Derrick Khatete, Rayse Ochieng, Armstrong Omondi, Brighton Nacheri, Denzel Omollo

Forwards: Nicholas Onyango, Trevor Nasasiro, Nathan Achola, Collins Ochieng, Jeconia Agutu, Marcos William

Technical Bench

William Muluya – Head Coach

Peter Okidi – Assistant Coach

Kenedy Mbunga – Assistant Coach

Abdul Iddi Salim – Goalkeeper Coach

Eric Muranda – Strength and conditioning

Stephen Mwangi – Kit Manager

Andrew Ijela – Safeguarding officer

Edwin Gumbo – Team Doctor

Shaban Masika -Team Manager

Fixtures/Results

Somalia 1-1 Kenya | November 18, 2025 | 4:00 pm

Kenya 2-1 Rwanda | November 21, 2025 | 1:00 pm

Kenya 2-0 South Sudan | November 24, 2025 | 4:00 pm

Ethiopia 1-0 Kenya | November 27, 2025 | 3:00 pm