Kenya’s Emerging Stars entered Tuesday’s return match against Tanzania with a 4‑1 advantage after a dominant first‑leg win at Nyayo National Stadium.

Head coach Anthony Kimani said the three‑goal cushion should not lead to complacency and urged his squad to treat the Dar es Salaam fixture as a new contest.

Kimani’s message focuses on maintaining the same intensity, exploiting chances and showing the mental strength displayed after Tanzania briefly reduced the deficit in Nairobi.

The Kenyan side prepared for the humid conditions in Dar es Salaam by training on artificial turf at the M‑Pesa Foundation and arriving early to acclimatise with hydration and isotonic drinks.

Injuries have forced adjustments: substitute Jack Onganya is out with an ACL injury and Jeremy Bissau remains unavailable, while Colin Sochieng was recalled for a domestic FKF playoff.

Captain Kevin Wangaya, who starred in the first leg, called for continued concentration, noting that Tanzania’s home advantage will present a different challenge.

If Kenya secures the tie, they will advance to the second qualifying round against Côte d’Ivoire, keeping alive hopes of reaching the 2027 U‑23 AFCON in Egypt, a pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Tanzania’s coach Ahmad Ally acknowledged defensive lapses in the first leg and said his team has used the intervening days to correct those weaknesses, aiming to produce a different performance in Dar es Salaam.