Kenya's Under-17 side, the Junior Stars, have been knocked out of the CECAFA zonal qualifiers for the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after a 2-0 defeat by Somalia at Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda on Wednesday, 14 October.

The loss was Kenya's second in as many matches in Kigali and ended William Muluya's campaign before the knockout rounds. The Junior Stars had opened their run with a 2-0 defeat by Tanzania, the defending champions, last Saturday, which meant only victory over Somalia would keep them in contention. They leave the tournament without a point and without a goal.

Captain strikes before the break

Somalia went in front five minutes before half-time through their captain, Mahmud Osman, according to Citizen Digital, who found the net from outside the area after Kenya failed to clear their lines. Citizen Digital described the defending that led to the goal as sloppy, while The Eastleigh Voice reported that the opener came from a left-footed strike.

Kenya were fortunate not to fall further behind before the interval. According to The Eastleigh Voice, defender Brighton Moses cleared a Somalian effort off the line, while at the other end Kenya captain Ian Nzisa saw his attempt saved, Citizen Digital reported.

Muluya's charges pressed after the restart but rarely tested the Somalia goalkeeper. Morgan Omondi made an important block to keep the deficit at one, and Yussuf Mohamed, Nicholas Ocholla, Alvin Midimo and Daniel Ombati all had openings that came to nothing, Mozzart Sport and The Eastleigh Voice reported.

The contest was settled six minutes from time when Somalia scored a second from a set piece. Citizen Digital said Abdullahi Hashi curled the 84th-minute free-kick into the top corner, beyond the Kenyan goalkeeper's reach. Some other outlets attributed the goals to different Somali players.

Familiar problems in front of goal

Reports from Kigali agreed that Somalia were the more organised side, compact without the ball and quick on the break. Kenya, by contrast, enjoyed spells of possession but struggled to turn it into clear chances, a shortcoming Citizen Digital said had followed the team throughout the tournament.

Somalia, who had drawn 1-1 with Tanzania earlier in the competition according to Citizen Digital, advance to the semi-finals. Under the tournament format, only the group winners and the best second-placed team progress, and Kenya finished with a goal difference of minus four.

The regional qualifiers are being staged in Kigali from 10 to 19 October, with the two best teams set to represent the CECAFA zone at the continental finals.

Another near miss for Muluya

The early exit is a fresh setback for Muluya, whose side came close to qualifying in the previous cycle before finishing fourth at the CECAFA qualifiers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This time, two defeats and no goals scored left the Junior Stars heading home before the tournament's decisive stage.

Photo: The Eastleigh Voice