Emerging Stars beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in U23 AFCON qualifier as Odhiambo’s late brilliance seals first-leg advantage

Kenya’s Emerging Stars celebrate after beating Tanzania’s Young Taifa Stars 5-4 on aggregate at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on October 6, 2026. (Photo: Simon Oiro)

Kenya’s U23 men’s national team, the Emerging Stars, secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in the first leg of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U23 qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

Second-half substitute Henry Omollo opened the scoring for Kenya before Oumar Konate restored parity for the visitors. However, Andreas Odhiambo produced a moment of individual brilliance to score the decisive goal and hand coach Antony Kimani’s side a slender advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Abidjan.

The Emerging Stars started the second half with renewed attacking intent, with captain Kevin Wangaya looking to release Aldrine Kibet.

Although Kibet lost possession, Kenya quickly recovered the ball, allowing Humphrey Aroko to attempt a shot that sailed wide.

Goalkeeper Caleb Kramer was also called into action, producing an important save to deny Ivory Coast as the visitors looked to threaten Kenya’s goal.

Kenya responded with a promising attacking move, with a pass into the centre of the pitch finding Kibet, who quickly picked out Lawrence Okoth. Okoth attempted to bring Aroko into the attack, but the Ivorian defence reacted quickly to block the pass.

Kimani made changes to inject fresh energy into his side, bringing on Brooklyn Kazungu for Glenyanick Kariuki, while Henry Omollo was introduced as Kenya searched for the breakthrough.

Following a throw-in from Baron Ochieng, the ball found Okoth, who helped create the opportunity for Omollo. The substitute showed composure in front of goal, slotting home to send the home supporters into celebration and give Kenya a deserved lead.

Kenya continued to threaten, with Kibet almost releasing Okoth into a promising position, only for the Ivorian defence to intercept the pass.

Ochieng was subsequently booked for a dangerous foul as the contest became increasingly physical.

Okoth had further opportunities to extend Kenya’s advantage. On one occasion, the forward found himself with space and the option of picking out Omollo but opted to shoot, sending his effort wide. He later had another opportunity but fired over the crossbar.

After an intense period of end-to-end football, Ivory Coast found their equaliser through substitute Oumar Konate, who produced a superb finish to bring the visitors back into the contest and make it 1-1.

Kenya responded with a double substitution, introducing Irad Mshindi for Aldrine Kibet and Stephen Ochieng for Lawrence Okoth as the technical bench looked to regain control of the match.

The visitors nearly took the lead, but goalkeeper Emmanuel Erupe produced a fine save to deny Ivory Coast a second goal and keep Kenya firmly in the contest.

The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute when Andreas Odhiambo stepped up with a moment of individual brilliance.

Picking up the ball on the left, Odhiambo drove forward under intense pressure, skilfully navigating his way past several Ivorian defenders before unleashing a superb strike to restore Kenya’s lead at 2-1.

The closing stages were tense, with emotions running high between the two sides. Kenya’s Henry Omollo was booked following a confrontation with the Ivorian captain, who also received a yellow card.

Captain Wangaya later took a corner for the Emerging Stars, but the delivery failed to produce another goal as the hosts looked to put the game beyond their opponents.

With five additional minutes indicated, Kenya held on to secure an important home victory.

The result gives the Emerging Stars a valuable advantage heading into the second leg, scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, where they will look to finish the job and secure progression in the 2027 AFCON U23 qualifiers.

With Odhiambo’s brilliance proving decisive and Omollo making an immediate impact off the bench, Kenya will travel to Ivory Coast with renewed confidence, although the away goal means the tie remains finely poised.