Kenya has written a new chapter in its football history books by qualifying for the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON), becoming the first-ever Kenyan youth team to achieve this feat.

The Junior Stars earned their ticket to the continental showpiece after a stellar run at the CECAFA U20 qualifiers held in Tanzania in October 2024.

Group stage brilliance

Placed in a challenging group alongside hosts Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan, and Rwanda, the Kenyan boys began their campaign with a resounding victory over Tanzania.

They followed it up with dominant wins against Djibouti and Sudan, before drawing with Rwanda in their final group match—topping the group with an unbeaten record.

Crushing Burundi in the semis

In the semi-finals, Kenya dismantled Burundi with an emphatic 4-0 win, a performance that not only earned them a place in the final but also guaranteed qualification for the 2025 U20 AFCON.

Narrow loss, bigger win

The final match against Tanzania was filled with drama and heartbreak for the Kenyan side.

After taking the lead early in the second half, the hosts managed a comeback to win 2-1, leaving Kenya as the runners-up.

Despite the loss, Kenya secured one of the two CECAFA slots available for the continental tournament.

This historic achievement builds on the momentum of Kenya’s U18 side, which finished second at the 2023 CECAFA U18 Championship held in Kisumu and Kakamega.

The core of the current U20 team comprises players from that U18 squad, illustrating a deliberate effort by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the government to foster continuity in talent development.

Future prospects

With AFCON qualification secured, the team’s sights are now set on an even greater goal—qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

The top four teams at the 2025 U20 AFCON will earn direct qualification.

However, Kenya faces a daunting challenge, having been drawn into the so-called ‘group of death’ alongside North African powerhouses Tunisia and Morocco, as well as perennial continental force Nigeria.

Nevertheless, following their strong showing at the CECAFA qualifiers, there is growing optimism that the team could defy the odds and reach the global stage, potentially becoming the first male football team from Kenya to qualify for a FIFA World Cup at any level.

During the flagging of the ceremony, President William Ruto assured the team of government support and vowed to fly to Morocco if they reach the competition’s finals.

Ahead of the tournament, coach Salim Babu has also backed his boys to write history in Morocco and elevate Kenyan football to the global stage. Captain Baron Ochieng also echoed his gaffer’s sentiments, expressing optimism ahead of the tournament.