Rwanda dump Kenya out of Under-20 Nations Cup qualifiers

Kenya Under 20 winger Musa Masika (left) dribbles the ball during their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 qualifying match against Rwanda in Machakos on April 1, 2018. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The two youthful teams settled for a barren draw in Kigali, a result that ensured the hosts progress to the next phase of the competition courtesy of the away goals rule.
  • Both sides had settled for a one-all draw during the first leg clash played in Machakos a three weeks back.

Kenya on Saturday suffered elimination from the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the hands of Rwanda.

The two youthful teams settled for a barren draw in Kigali, a result that ensured the hosts progress to the next phase of the competition courtesy of the away goals rule.

Both sides had settled for a one-all draw during the first leg clash played in Machakos a three weeks back.

At the Nyamirambo stadium last evening, Kenya coach Stanley Okumbi recalled the rusty Ovella Ochieng who's only played one competitive game all year, in his bid to sharpen his attack.

The youthful coach also surprisingly started Richard Odanda who scored Kenya's lone goal in Machakos on the bench, preferring the Mathare United's John Mwangi in attack.

All these changes however came to naught as team Kenya, who were banned from competing in these tournament two years ago for age-cheating, again suffered early elimination.

This outcome marked a disappointing weekend for youth football, coming a day after the U17 national team lost 1-0 to Somalia at the Cecafa Youth Championship in Burundi.

Rwanda meanwhile, progress to face the tournament's defending champions Zambia in the next round of the competition as the race to qualify for the 16-team youth tournament in Niger gathers pace.