Junior Stars duo fire warning shot to rivals as they aim for maiden U-20 AFCON qualification

The Total Energies CAF (AFCON) U-20 qualifiers for the Zone will take place October 6-20, 2024 in Dar es Salaam, .

Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, Djibouti, and Ethiopia have all confirmed participation for a chance to qualify for the continental showpiece.

Kenya’s Junior Stars have been pooled in Group A alongside Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda and Djibouti.

Junior Starlets had been intensifying preparations in Spain preparing for the U-17 Women's World Cup.

Junior Stars players Louise Ingavi and Aldrine Kibet who are set to headline the tournament have fired a warning shot with a cryptic message shared on their Instagram accounts.

Ingavi shared a post by Harambee Stars of the Junior Stars players with the accompanying message,«Something is coming,» which teammate Aldrine Kibet reposted on his story.

The duo played together in last year’s CECAFA U-18 tournament played in Kisumu and Kakamega where Uganda came from behind to beat Kenya 2-1 in the final at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen believes Junior Starlets will post impressive performances at the U17 World Cup despite being the underdogs.

Junior Stars coach Salim Babu announced his provisional squad for the tournament that featured the duo as well as other headliners in last year’s tournament like Amos Wanjala and Tyron Kariuki.

Kenya will play their opening group match against hosts Tanzania before taking on Rwanda and Djibouti and eventually closing off their group stage matches against Sudan.

The team has been in a residential training camp in Nairobi since September 22, and will be departing for Tanzania on October 4.