Kenya’s Under-20 side, the Rising Stars, stormed into the 2024 Cecafa Afcon qualifiers semifinals, thrashing Sudan 4-0 at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Tuesday.
Aldrine Kibet stole the show with a sensational hat-trick, while Kevin Wangaya notched his fourth goal of the tournament to seal the emphatic win.
Kibet wasted no time, nodding home a perfectly delivered corner from Andreas Odhiambo in the second minute to give Kenya the lead.
The young striker doubled the advantage just before the break, finishing off a slick move set up by William Gitamu.
Wangaya extended the Rising Stars’ lead in the 68th minute before Kibet notched his third in stoppage-time to cap off a dominant display.
The Rising Stars topped Group A with 10 points, edging out hosts Tanzania by a point.
Sudan were third with six points, followed by Rwanda (four) and Djibouti (zero).
In Group B, favourites Uganda lived up to their billing by finishing top with nine points with Burundi second with six.
South Sudan managed four to leave Ethiopia rooted at the bottom with none.
The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals.
Kenya face Burundi as Tanzania flex muscles with Uganda for a place in the final.
Should Rising Stars emerge victorious, they will book their first ever appearance at the U20 Afcon, slated for next year.
The Rising Stars have been in fine form throughout the tournament, kicking off with a gritty 2-1 win over Tanzania, courtesy of goals from Omondi and Wangaya.
They were held to a goalless
draw by Rwanda before thrashing
Djibouti 4-0, with Wangaya
bagging a brace and Hassan Beja
and Lawrence Okoth adding
to the scoreline.