NAIROBI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Under-17 football team hopes to emulate their senior colleagues by winning the regional CECAFA tournament, which starts on Saturday in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Kenya's senior football team Harambee Stars are the CECAFA champions having won the title under Belgium coach Paul Put in December last year. The younger Stars will face stiff competition in Burundi, but youth team technical director Michael Amenga says they are prepared for the test.

"The team is strong and well prepared. There will be no room for complacency as the players know we are using the tournament as preparation for the Africa Under-17 tournament," he said on Friday.

The team jetted out on Thursday night for Burundi. Kenya has the daunting task of facing hosts Burundi, Ethiopia and Somalia in Pool A.

Their first match will be against Burundi on Sunday then Ethiopia on Tuesday before finishing their group assignment against Somalia.

Other teams taking part in the tournament are Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Rwanda and Zanzibar.

"We have had adequate preparations for this task and I am confident that the players will give a good account of themselves," added Amenga.

The Kenya Under 17 side will use the CECAFA tournament to prepare for 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.