NAIROBI, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's youth team are capable of qualifying for their first Africa U-17 Cup of Nations tournament, head coach Michael Amenga told Xinhua on Friday.

Amenga expressed optimism in the team's chances at the upcoming 2019 Africa U17 Cup of Nations CECAFA Region Qualifying tournament, which will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from Aug. 11-26.

The country has not qualified for this age-based competition and the coach said they have made changes in their selections and youth structure, which have yielded improvement in performances critical to spur the team to glory in Tanzania.

The team has pitched its training camp in Nairobi and has been in residential preparations since July 26.

"There has been steady improvement in the team both physically and tactically," said Amenga on Friday after his team lost 5-2 to a Kenyan Premier League side Posta Rangers in a buildup friendly match in Nairobi.

The team had earlier forced a barren draw with Gor Mahia Youth team before edging out Acakoro 2-1.

"With adequate preparations, I am confident that we can post positive results at the Under-17 CECAFA regional championship in Tanzania and record better our show than what we had in Bujumbura in April, where Kenya was fourth," he added.

Kenya has been pooled in Group B alongside Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti in the 10-nation tournament in Dar es Salaam. Group A comprises hosts Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and Sudan.

The winner of the tourney will get a chance to represent the CECAFA region in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations set to be held in Tanzania in May 2019.