Kenya leave second round in view with Mauritius rout

Kenya’s Emerging Stars tore Mauritius apart 5-0 at the Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday to get off their Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in resounding fashion.

The crushing victory reduced Sunday’s return leg in Mauritius to a procession job for Stars into the second round of the competition that also serves as a qualifier to the 2020 Olympics.

Yussuf Mainge got the party started with the opener inside ten minutes before James Mazembe, Pitstone Mutamba, substitute Sydney Okale and Joseph Okumu also got in on the demolition act.

Kenya overpowered Mauritius from start to finish and such was the dominance that the visitors failed to register a single shot on goal with Mazembe and Ovella Ochieng happy to stretch them apart on the wings.

An aggregate victory for Kenya will see the Emerging Stars secure a two-legged second round face-off with either Sudan or Seychelles before reaching the third round that will determine which team graces the U23 AFCON Finals.

The final U23 AFCON tournament will act as a qualifier to the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Kenya Starting XI: 1. Brian Bwire (GK), 2. Joseph Okumu (C), 5. Yussuf Mainge, 20. Johnstone Omurwa, 16. David Owino, 6. Teddy Osok, 7. Ovella Ochieng (Jafari Owiti), 19. Ibrahim Shambi, 17. Chrispinus Onyango (Sydney Lokale), 3. James Mazembe, 9. Pistone Mutamba (Henry Ochieng)

Substitutes: 18. Timothy Odhiambo, 12. Mike Kibwage, 11. Jafari Owiti, 10. Sydney Lokale, 8. Tobbias Otieno, 13. Alwyn Tera, 14. Henry Ochieng

Mauritius Starting XI: 1. Alexandre Figaro, 7. Adel Langue, 3. Gukoola Neelesh, 4. Vincent Emmanuel, 9. Jean-Jacques Patate, 15. Lionel Larose, 6. Alison Charlot, 13. Saramandif Kengy, 14. Adrien Francois, 17. Wilson Damien, 18. Jason Ferre

Substitutes: 2. Pascal Ferre, 5, Sophie Dawson, 8. Jackson Fernando, 10. David Igory, 11. Mustafa Bilaal, 12. Cataperman Ronaldo, 16. Richie Nani