The Kenya national Under-17 soccer team made an early ex it from the African Youth Championship after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Rwanda here Saturday.
The defeat at the almost-empty Nyayo National Stadium saw Rwanda dash Kenya’s hopes of advancing to the second round of the continental event.
Victor Oduma shot Kenya into the lead in the 50th minute of the thrilling first round return match.
Eighteen minutes later (68th) Heriman Ngoma levelled for Rwanda before Christian Lumukiza netted the winning goal in the 78th minute.
Rwanda advanced to the second round on a 4-3 goal aggregate against Kenya and will meet Sudan.
The teams drew 2-2 in the first leg match in the Rwandese capital, Kigali two weeks ago.
The defeat was a reflection of the unbelievable decline in the local soccer standards which has seen the Kenyan national soccer teams, both the senior and youth teams, lose virtually all their continental matches.
Late Friday, the Under-17 team had threatened to boycott the match as it demanded payment of outstanding allowances stretching back to a month.
