Emerging Stars head coach Anthony Kimani has challenged his players to improve defensively as they prepare to face Côte d’Ivoire in the second round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The national U-23 team kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games alive after overcoming Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate in the first round.

Kenya won the first leg 4-1 at Nyayo National Stadium but suffered a 3-1 defeat in the return leg in Dar es Salaam, exposing defensive weaknesses that Kimani wants addressed before the next challenge.

Kimani acknowledged that his team must improve at the back, warning that the Ivorians are likely to pose a tougher challenge than Tanzania.

“Conceding four goals across two matches is an aspect of our game we need to fix, and fix very, very fast,” he said.

The coach also admitted that the limited time available during the international break had made preparations difficult.

“The unfortunate bit is that in a small FIFA window, you only have about seven days to ensure everybody understands what we are trying to do as a team. It is not enough time,” he said.

Kimani is, however, hopeful that additional training sessions will help the players better understand their roles and execute his tactical plans.

“With more time together, the players will understand their roles better and be able to carry out our plans more effectively,” he added.

The coach has named a provisional squad featuring several new faces and returning players as he seeks to strengthen the team ahead of the two-legged encounter.

Aldrine Kibet returns after missing the Tanzania matches because of work permit issues in Spain. Midfielder Humphrey Aroko and defender Jackson Imbiakha have also been recalled after recovering from injuries.

New call-ups include Jack Steel, Emmanuel Osoro, Javan Ochieng and Colin Akeno, while Mark Kithome and Glen Githinji have also earned places in the provisional squad.

Kimani believes the team must raise its performance across all departments to overcome the West Africans.

“We have a group of players who believe in what we are trying to achieve. We must correct our mistakes and prepare well for this challenge,” he said.

The aggregate winner will advance to the final qualification round, where they will face either Tunisia or Benin for a place at the 2027 U-23 AFCON in Egypt.

The tournament will also serve as the qualification pathway for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.