Kenya’s Rising Stars clinched a place in the semi-finals of the CECAFA Under-20 Championships with a commanding 4-0 victory over Sudan at the Azam Complex in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. With this win, Kenya advanced to the last four, needing just a draw but securing all three points to top Group A and avoid facing defending champions Uganda in the next stage.

Aldrine Kibet, a forward from Nastic Academy, starred with a hat-trick, while Kevin Wangaya added another goal, ensuring that Salim Babu’s side finished the group stage with 10 points from four matches.

Kenya got off to a strong start, taking the lead in the fourth minute. Kibet connected with a corner from AFC Leopards midfielder Hassan Beja, heading the ball past Sudan’s goalkeeper, Mohammed Abdalla Ibrahim. The Rising Stars dominated possession early on and nearly found the net within the opening two minutes, but Beja and Kibet were thwarted by Ibrahim.

The pressure from Kenya continued, with Wangaya coming close in the 22nd minute after a clever pass from Kibet, who plays in Spain, but his shot was saved by Ibrahim. Kibet then doubled Kenya’s lead just before halftime, sliding in to score from the centre of the box after a precise delivery from William Mwangi, who was set up by Baron Ochieng.

Sudan came out with more energy in the second half, almost pulling one back with an early chance, but Kenyan goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala was quick to react, tipping the shot over for a corner. Just a few minutes later, Andreas Odhiambo nearly extended Kenya’s lead with a powerful strike, but Ibrahim once again denied the effort, keeping Sudan in the game.

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Sudan earned a free kick just outside Kenya’s penalty area in the 57th minute, but Ahmed Gobartalla’s attempt was punched away by Wanzala, while Waheed Shandi Somi Elbadri’s follow-up shot went wide of the target.

At the 60-minute mark, Kenya made tactical changes, bringing in USA-based Louis Ingavi and Shabana’s Dalphene Ezekiah, with Lawrence Okoth and William Mwangi making way. Kenya’s relentless attack paid off again in the 67th minute when Wangaya capitalized on a poor clearance from Elborae Gamal Elhag to notch his fourth goal of the tournament.

Kibet completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute, sealing the 4-0 win and confirming Kenya’s place in the semi-finals. Both sides continued to push for more goals as the match drew to a close, but Kenya’s solid performance secured the victory, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

With a place in the semi-finals, Kenya now stands just one win away from making their first-ever appearance at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. The top two teams from the CECAFA Championships will earn a place in next year’s continental event.