Kenya’s star-studded Junior Stars were too hot to handle for Sudan who were thrashed 5-0 in the opening match of the CECAFA U18 Championship in Kisumu
Kenya’s Junior Stars started their CECAF Under-18 Boys’ Championship with an impressive 5-0 thrashing of Sudan at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.
The home side took an early lead when Florida-based Louis Ingavi opened the scoring in style. Left-back Collins Ochieng received the ball out wide and floated in a good cross on his left foot which Ingavi connected with well through a diving header to break the deadlock after seven minutes.
Kenya would soon have a moment of scare when goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala fumbled with a high ball which fell to a Sudanese attacker but he fired just wide to save the custodian’s blushes.
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The Junior Stars would then extend their lead when a good build up saw Tyson Kariuki receive the ball and fire in a low shot to make it 2-0 after 28 minutes.
Kenya kept probing with their high press yielding the third goal. Salim Babu’s boys won possession on the edge of Sudan’s box before Aldrine Kibet received the ball and danced past two defenders to effortlessly slot in the third goal via his left foot in the 32nd minute.
The Spain-based attacking midfielder had been a thorn in the flesh of the Sudanese and was rewarded with a goal after creating Kenya’s second.
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Junior Stars were not done, however, with another good build up leading to an easy fourth goal. Kenya went hunting in packs and won possession before Kariuki went past his markers to get into space but instead if firing home, he laid it on the plate to a free Ingavi who sent home his second and his country’s fourth in the dying minutes of the first half.
Babu’s charges took their foot off the pedal in the second half somewhat with chances few and far between and it looked like the match would end 4-0 until very late when the home side extended their lead.
Elly Owande received a good pass in the box before slotting in a low shot on his left foot to add more misery on the Sudanese and they should have added two more were it not for some poor finishing from Dancan Odhiambo and Alvin Kasavuli.
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Kenya now lead Group A with three points same as Rwanda, who beat Somalia 1-0 in the tournament opener, but with a superior goal difference.
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