The Kenya U20 men’s football team hammered Sudan 4-0 in an entertaining 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 qualifying match played on Tuesday afternoon at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Highly rated forward Aldrine Kibet produced a man of the match performance, causing constant problems to the Sudan backline as he bagged a hattrick that moved Kenya a step closer to qualifying for the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament.
Kibet opened the scoring for the Rising Stars in the third minute, brilliantly heading in Andreas Odhiambo’s well-delivered corner kick into the back of the net.
After the goal, Sudan tried their best to find an equalizer but the Rising Stars defense led by captain fantastic Amos Wanjala stood strong.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over 11 million SportPesa Midweek Jackpot
As the Sudanese players were busy trying to find a way of penetrating the Kenyan defense, Kibet scored again in the 41st minute.
This time round, the St. Anthony’s Kitale Boys High School product tapped the ball into the net from close range after a pinpoint cross from William Mwangi.
The important goal ensured the Kenyan youngsters went into the half-time break with a 2-0 lead.
Sudan could have pulled one back at the start of the second half, but they were denied by a brilliant diving save from Kenyan goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala.
Rising Stars head coach Salim Babu made two changes in the 59th minute to try and kill the game.
He replaced Lawrence Okoth and Mwangi with Louise Ingavi and Hezekiah respectively.
The substitutions proved to be effective as Kenya gained more control of the game, thus leading to the third goal which was scored in the 67th minute by Kevin Wangaya.
Wangaya’s goal was a thing of a beauty. He received the ball from the edge of the box before bending it into the left corner of the net as Sudan’s shot stopper Mohamed Ibrahim stood rooted in the middle of the goal. The goal was Wangaya’s fourth of the tournament.
ALSO READ: AFC Leopards head coach shrugs off early title talk despite impressive start to 24/25 season
Kenya U20 one win away from AFCON U20 qualification
Kibet completed his hattrick in the injury time, directing the ball into the bottom corner, to ensure Kenya picked up a huge 4-0 victory.
The win helped Kenya to climb to the top of Group A with 10 points, which guaranteed their qualification to the semifinals.
Tanzania, who amassed a total of nine points in the tough group, have also qualified to the next round behind Kenya.
The two nations will be joined in the semis by East African powerhouse Uganda and Burundi, who finished first and second respectively in Group B.
Kenya is expected to play Burundi while hosts Tanzania will face a difficult Ugandan side, with each semifinal winner booking a ticket to the 2025 AFCON tournament.
ALSO READ: Win over 11 million using only 99 bob stake in Friday-only SportPesa Midweek Jackpot