Emerging Stars Survive Tanzania Scare to Reach Second Round

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | October 6, 2026

Kenya's Emerging Stars have advanced to the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Tanzania in the return leg at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

The result saw Kenya progress 5-4 on aggregate after Anthony Kimani's side had secured a 4-1 victory in the first leg at Nyayo National Stadium on September 28.

Tanzania started the return fixture strongly as they looked to overturn the three-goal deficit. Shekhan Khamis opened the scoring before Selemani Mwalimu doubled the hosts' advantage, sending Tanzania into halftime with a 2-0 lead and within one goal of levelling the tie.

Kenya responded after the break through substitute Andreas Odhiambo, who pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 on the night. The goal restored Kenya's two-goal aggregate advantage and left Tanzania needing two more goals to eliminate the visitors.

The hosts continued to press forward and were rewarded when Mwalimu scored again to complete his brace and put Tanzania 3-1 ahead. The goal reduced Kenya's aggregate advantage to a single goal and set up a tense final period.

Tanzania pushed for a fourth goal during the closing stages, knowing that another strike would send them through on aggregate. Kenya, however, held firm defensively to protect the 5-4 aggregate lead.

The final whistle confirmed Kenya's passage to the next round, ending Tanzania's hopes of completing the comeback despite a spirited display on home soil.

Kenya had laid the foundation for qualification in Nairobi nine days earlier with a 4-1 victory. Paul Osama opened the scoring inside the first minute before Lawrence Okoth doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time. Captain Kevin Wangaya made it 3-0 shortly after the restart, while Kelly Madada restored Kenya's three-goal advantage after Tanzania had pulled one back from the penalty spot.

The Emerging Stars will now face Ivory Coast in the second round of the U23 AFCON qualifiers, with the first leg scheduled for November.

The next-round tie forms part of the qualification pathway to the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. The tournament will also provide the pathway for African teams seeking qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

For Kimani and his players, the immediate task will be to regroup after a tense second leg and prepare for a tougher challenge against Ivory Coast as Kenya continue their pursuit of a place at the continental finals.