Kenya has been drawn in Group C of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers following the draw held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Kigali Pele Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
The regional qualifiers are scheduled to take place at the newly renovated Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from September 15 to 25th, 2026.
Kenya will compete in Group C alongside South Sudan and Burundi. The three groups consist of three teams each, with the top team from every group advancing to the semi-final stage alongside the best second-placed team across the three groups.
The best two teams at the Zonal qualifier will represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026.
U-20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers groups
Group A
- Tanzania
- Ethiopia
- Rwanda
Group B
- Uganda
- Sudan
- Rwanda
Group C
- South Sudan
- Kenya
- Burundi
Rising Stars provisional squad for CECAFA U20 qualifiers
Last week, Coach Gilbert Selebwa named his provisional Rising Stars squad ahead of the U20 CECAFA AFCON Qualifiers. The provisional squad is drawn from clubs across the country, a handful of players based abroad, and schools.
School-based players, however, are expected to form a second cohort, joining camp only after the selection process for the club-based players has been completed.
The club-based contingent assembled for camp at the Mashuuru Sports Complex on Friday, August 28, 2026, as preparations for the qualifiers get underway. Coach Selbwa will be assisted by Dunstan Nyaudo and Musa Otieno.
