Kenya U23 vs Ivory Coast is scheduled for Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at 3:00 pm EAT at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. The Emerging Stars host Côte d’Ivoire in the first leg of their second-round 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with head coach Anthony Kimani confirming his final squad and two absences before kickoff.
The Kenya U23 vs Ivory Coast fixture is the next step after Kenya eliminated Tanzania 5–4 on aggregate. The return leg takes place in Abidjan on 17 November, and the winners of the two matches advance to the third and final qualifying round. Follow supported scores and match updates on SportPesa Score.
Kenya U23 vs Ivory Coast fixture details
| Match detail | Confirmed information |
| Competition | 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers — second round, first leg |
| Fixture | Kenya U23 vs Côte d’Ivoire U23 |
| Date | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 pm East Africa Time |
| Venue | Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi |
| Coach | Anthony Kimani (Kenya U23) |
| Return leg | Tuesday, 17 November, 10:00 pm EAT |
| Return venue | Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan |
| Match status | Upcoming as at pre-kickoff verification |
The Kenya U23 kickoff time and venue were published by the Football Kenya Federation on 10 November. The federation also announced first-leg ticket prices of KSh 200 for regular admission and KSh 1,000 for VIP. Check the federation’s official ticketing service for availability and entry information.
Kenya U23 team news: Madada suspended, Bate injured
Kenya U23 team news centres on two confirmed absences. Midfielder Kelly Madada is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards, while defender Joseph Bate is unavailable through injury. The Football Kenya Federation listed both omissions when Anthony Kimani announced his final 25-player selection on 10 November.
Aldrine Kibet and Humphrey Aroko are among the midfield options in the squad, alongside Kevin Wangaya and Andres Odhiambo. For the complete player-by-player selection, read our Kenya U23 final squad report and Kenya U23 squad guide.
Emerging Stars final squad for the Ivory Coast qualifier
| Position | Selected players |
| Goalkeepers | Caleb Kramer; Bernard Jairo; Kevin Oduor |
| Defenders | Ian Omondi; Jackson Imbiakha; Robinson Musungu; Baron Ochieng; Price Musebe; Wyclliffe Awiko; Telena Ochieng; Emmanuel Erupe |
| Midfielders | Aldrine Kibet; Kevin Wangaya; Andres Odhiambo; Irad Mshindi; Humphrey Aroko; Oliver Majaka; Jack Munene Steel; Bernard Odhiambo |
| Forwards | Brooklyn Kazungu; Lawrence Okoth; Paul Osama; Stephen Omondi; Dancan Odhiambo; Henry Omollo |
This is the announced Kenya U23 squad, not a confirmed starting XI. The matchday lineup and substitutes are subject to official team-sheet confirmation.
How Kenya reached the second qualifying round
Kenya U23 vs Tanzania produced nine goals across two first-round matches. The Emerging Stars won 4–1 at Nyayo National Stadium on 28 September before losing 3–1 in Dar es Salaam on 6 October. Their three-goal advantage from the home leg proved decisive, taking them through 5–4 on aggregate.
Read Kenya’s first-leg Tanzania victory and Kenya’s Tanzania qualifying result for the goals, match events and progression details.
Ivory Coast U23 squad and second-round challenge
Côte d’Ivoire U23 enter this tie after receiving a first-round bye. Their announced squad includes Sunderland forward Jocelin Ta Bi, alongside players based with European clubs. See our Ivory Coast U23 squad coverage for the opposition’s selection and relevant player backgrounds.
The first-leg score will determine the starting aggregate position for the return fixture. Neither Kenya nor Côte d’Ivoire will qualify directly for the final tournament by winning this round: the successful team must still negotiate the final qualifying round in March 2027.
What qualification means for Kenya and the 2028 Olympics
The 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in Egypt, with the qualifying competition determining seven teams to join the hosts. The tournament forms part of Africa’s qualification pathway towards the men’s football competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Kenya must first overcome Côte d’Ivoire and then win its final qualifying tie to reach the continental finals.
Kenya U23 vs Ivory Coast live score and updates
Follow the Kenya U23 live score, match status and available match statistics on SportPesa Score, and check SportPesa Kenya football news for verified team updates and post-match reporting.
Kenya U23 vs Ivory Coast: what happens next?
Kenya U23 vs Ivory Coast begins a two-leg qualifying contest in Nairobi on 11 November, followed by the return match in Abidjan on 17 November. The Emerging Stars have already shown they can progress through a closely contested aggregate tie against Tanzania. The next milestone is determined on the pitch, with the winning side moving into the third round of U23 AFCON 2027 qualifying.
