Kenya wont be part of the Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations next year after being beaten 3-0 by Ethiopia in a qualification clash staged at the Abebe Bikila Stadium on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.
With Uganda and Tanzania aleady confirming their place in next year’s continental showpiece, it was up to Kenya and Ethiopia to fill the last slot in the competition.
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Having met in the group stage, the tie was going to be a cagey affair with the William Muluya side keen to avert the loss they suffered at the hands of the Ethiopians who denied them a top spot in Group A.
The first half of the tie bore no fruits but Ethiopia upped the tempo in the earlier proceedings of the second half. When Kenya started to settle in the game, the hosts threw in defensive substitutions and were ready to break on the counter with their speedy wingers each time they broke loose.
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Their strategy was rewarded in the 66th minute when midfielder Dawit Kasaw beat the offside trap to lobs the ball past the onrushing Georgian Omondi for the opener. The Kenyans protested the goal claiming it was an offside score but the referee had none of it.
The goal seems to have dented the Kenyans mentally and with Ethiopia backed by their vociferous home crowd, they doubled their lead in the 79th minute through Biniyam Abrha before Biruk Eyilachew hit the final nail in Kenya’s coffin in stoppage time.
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