Kenya’s Emerging Stars beat the visiting Ivory Coast side 2-1 in the first leg of the second round of 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday November 11, 2026.

Second half goals from Henry Omollo and Andreas Odhiambo were enough for Emerging Stars to bag all the three vital points, while the West Africans got the consolation from Oumar Konate.

Speaking after the final whistle, Emerging Stars head coach Anthony (Modo) Kimani revealed that his technical bench knew the task at hand was not going to be easy, but managed to stick to their game plan that eventually paid off.

“We knew it was not going to an easy game because Ivory Coast is a team comprising of very good players, but we also have players who have that quality, so we came knowing the opponents and eventually we got it done,” Kimani said.

After getting the job done at home, Emerging Stars will be heading to Ivory Coast for the return leg on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, kicking off at 10:00 pm EAT.

Hosts Egypt have qualified automatically for the eight-team final tournament, leaving the other nations to negotiate up to three rounds of home-and-away knockout matches.

The 14 nations that emerge from the Second Round will progress to the decisive Third Round, where seven two-legged ties will determine the teams that join Egypt at the finals.

The First Legs of the Third Round will be played on March 22 2027, with the decisive return fixtures scheduled for March 30, 2027.

The seven aggregate winners will qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 AFCON Egypt 2027 alongside the hosts.

The TotalEnergies CAF U-23 AFCON Egypt 2027 will carry added significance as it forms part of Africa’s pathway towards the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

African nations have enjoyed a proud history in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, with Nigeria becoming the continent’s first men’s football gold medallists at Atlanta 1996 before Cameroon followed with gold at Sydney 2000.

Nigeria remain Africa’s most decorated nation in the men’s Olympic football tournament, having also claimed silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016.

Ghana made history at Barcelona 1992 when they became the first African nation to win an Olympic football medal, taking bronze.

Emerging Stars final squad

Goalkeepers

Caleb Kramer, Bernard Jairo, Kevin Oduor

Defenders

Ian Omondi, Jackson Imbiakha, Robinson Musungu, Baron Ochieng, Price Musebe, Wyclliffe Awiko, Telena Ochieng, Emmanuel Erupe

Midfielders

Aldrine Kibet, Kevin Wangaya, Andres Odhiambo, Irad Mshindi, Humphrey Aroko, Oliver Majaka, Jack Munene Steel, Bernard Odhiambo

Forwards

Brooklyn Kazungu, Lawrence Okoth, Paul Osama, Stephen Omondi, Dancan Odhiambo, Henry Omollo