Kenya U17 national team, the Junior Stars, have learned their opponents for the upcoming U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Qualifiers following the official draw held on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda.

Junior Stars have been placed in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Rwanda, in what promises to be a competitive pool. Group B will feature Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan, and Burundi.

Qualifying criteria

Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, where the Group A winner faces the Group B runner-up and vice versa.

The two finalists will earn CECAFA’s slots at the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

These qualifiers will serve as a crucial platform for the region’s emerging talents to showcase their potential, as the race to book a ticket to the 2026 AFCON begins.

The regional qualifiers, scheduled to take place from November 15 to December 2, 2025, will be hosted in Ethiopia, with Group A matches set to be held at Abebe Bikila Stadium, and group B matches held at Dire Dawa Stadium.

A: Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda

B: Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan, Burundi

The draw happens days after former Harambee Stars Assistant Head Coach, who is the current Kariobangi Sharks Head Coach, William Muluya, was appointed as the Head Coach of the U17 Rising Stars team.  

Muluya will be assisted by Peter Okidi, the Head Coach of Shabana FC.

Meanwhile, as Junior Stars embark on another historic journey, Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed has linked the success of national teams in international assignments to government support.

While congratulating Harambee Starlets after making a return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Mohammed extended his gratitude to President William Ruto, who has pledged to reward the team handsomely after their return to WAFCON after nine solid years. 

”Congratulations to our Haranbee Starlets for qualifying for WAFCON 2026! A big thank you to the players and technical bench for this remarkable achievement, to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and the Government of Kenya for their immense support, and to our passionate fans for always standing with the team,” Mohammed took to X on Tuesday night, October 28, 2025, shortly after Harambee Starlets edged Gambaia 1-0 to qualify for the showpiece.