Emerging Stars head coach Anthony Kimani has praised the seamless transition of players from the Under-20 setup following Kenya’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Tanzania’s Taifa Rising Stars in the first leg of the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Despite having limited time to prepare for the derby, Kenya seized firm control of the first-round tie courtesy of goals from Paul Osama, Lawrence Okoth, skipper Kevin Wangaya, and substitute Kelly Madada.
Speaking in his post-match press briefing, Kimani emphasized that squad continuity and familiarity forged in the youth ranks were the defining factors in executing the tactical plan on short notice.
“I think continuity is very important in football, and so it was very important because we had very little time to prepare for this crucial tie,” Kimani said. “It was very important that we get a group of players that have played together before, so that makes it very, very easy for the chemistry and the integration of all the players into the team.”
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The tactician specifically highlighted the inclusion of Salim Babu on his technical bench as a masterstroke.
Babu’s national team coaching trajectory took off in November 2023 when he led the Kenya U18 Junior Stars to a runner-up finish at the 2023 CECAFA U18 Championship in Kisumu and Kakamega.
He subsequently transitioned with that exact core to the Kenya U20 Rising Stars, making history in October 2024 by securing Kenya’s first-ever qualification to the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations following a standout CECAFA U20 tournament run in Dar es Salaam.
Kimani noted that Babu’s deep familiarity with this core group brought invaluable insight to the U23 setup.
“We also have their head coach that was with them,Salim Babu and that’s why, one of the reasons why he’s here, because he understands a lot of these players better than us,” Kimani explained.
“He has been very, very instrumental in giving us information that probably we wouldn’t have been able to get in the course of this week.”
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Credit to all the group of players that have transitioned into the Under-23, cause it’s also not simple,” he added. “For you to get to that level, it shows that you’ve been consistent for the last couple of years.”
Kenya made an explosive start, taking the lead inside the opening minute when Paul Osama finished off a well-worked move initiated by Kevin Wangaya and Henry Omollo. Lawrence Okoth doubled the cushion in first-half stoppage time slotting home after Paul Osama initial effort was stifled.
Wangaya got his own name on the scoresheet five minutes after the restart, capping off a stellar individual performance to make it 3-0.
Although Tanzania pulled one back via a Sheikhan Ibrahim penalty following a Wycliffe Omondi handball, AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada sealed the 4-1 triumph in the 75th minute with a low, curling strike.
The Emerging Stars carry a comfortable three-goal aggregate cushion into the return leg in Dar es Salaam, scheduled for next week.
The aggregate winner of this tie will advance to the second qualification round to face Ivory Coast, continuing the journey toward the 2027 U23 AFCON in Egypt and potential qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
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