Kenya’s Emerging Stars extended their unbeaten start at the inaugural FIFA U-15 Boys World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan after battling to a 2-2 draw against North Macedonia in their third match in Baku.

The result followed a 6-2 victory over Malta in their opening fixture and a 5-1 triumph against Panama, giving Patrick Nyale’s side three positive results in their opening matches.

Javan Ochieng gave Kenya the lead against North Macedonia before their opponents fought back to level the score and subsequently take a 2-1 advantage.

However, the Emerging Stars refused to give up, with Bleza Barack scoring a crucial equaliser to secure a point for Kenya in a competitive encounter.

The draw tested Kenya’s resilience after their free-scoring performances in the opening two matches. Having scored 11 goals against Malta and Panama, the youngsters faced a tougher challenge against a North Macedonian side that managed to turn the contest around before Barack’s intervention.

Kenya had started the tournament in impressive fashion, thrashing Malta 6-2, with Dancan Muyah scoring twice. They followed that performance with a convincing 5-1 victory over Panama, further underlining their attacking potential.

The latest result demonstrated the team’s ability to respond under pressure and fight back after falling behind, an important quality in a competition featuring several matches over a short period.

The inaugural FIFA U-15 Boys World Cup and Festival is being staged in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24 to 30. The tournament features an eight-a-side format, with matches played over two 20-minute halves, giving young footballers valuable exposure to international competition.

With their unbeaten run intact after three matches, Nyale’s charges will be keen to maintain their momentum in the remaining fixtures and build on the experience gained against teams from different footballing backgrounds.