The hopes of a nation were crushed on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, as Kenya’s Junior Stars (U17 National Team) failed to secure a ticket to the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
In the decisive CECAFA Zonal qualification playoff, the Junior Stars suffered a heartbreaking 3-0 defeat against hosts Ethiopia at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.
The match was a winner-takes-all encounter for the third and final AFCON slot allocated to the CECAFA region, with Tanzania and Uganda having already qualified by reaching the final.
Coach William Muluya’s charges held their ground in a tense first half, keeping the score deadlocked at 0-0, thanks to a solid defensive effort marshaled by Cosmas Masitsa and good goalkeeping from Georgian Omondi.
However, the resistance crumbled in the second half under sustained Ethiopian pressure.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 66th minute by Ethiopian forward Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw, who scored a moment of individual brilliance—a perfectly executed loop over the Kenyan keeper.
In the 78th minute, as Kenya pushed forward for an equalizer, a defensive error gifted possession to Ethiopia captain Binyam Abrha Teare, who coolly slotted home to double the lead.
To add salt to the wound in the 92nd minute with the Kenyan defense fully committed to attack, Ethiopia launched a blistering counter-attack. A goalkeeper error allowed Biruk Eyilachew to head home the third goal, sealing the 3-0 victory and sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.
The result leaves a bitter taste for the young Kenyan side, whose continental dreams were dashed after a campaign that had shown promising flashes of brilliance, particularly through Nevil Wafula.
