Sports

Kenya’s Rising Stars jets off for maiden AFCON tournament in Egypt

Monday 21st April, 2025 12:15 PM| By Luke Oluoch

The Kenya National U20 team jetted out of the country this Monday, April 21, 2025, for the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship.

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, April 27, and run to May 18, 2025, in Egypt.

Salim Babu’s charges will feature in their maiden African Games after becoming the first-ever Kenyan youth team to achieve the feat following a stellar run at the CECAFA U20 qualifiers held in Tanzania in October 2024.

Despite failing to win the regional tournament, Rising Stars booked their place in Morocco after finishing second to winners Tanzania Ngorogoro Heroes, securing one of the two slots assigned to teams from the CECAFA region.

Kenya U20 vice captain Baron Ochieng addressing journalists at State House — Kenya U20 captain Baron Ochieng at State House during the handing over the flag by President William Ruto to the under-20 men’s football team that will compete in the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations on April 15, 2025. PHOTO/@WilliamsRuto/X

Stars were to travel to Morocco earlier as part of a 10-day pre-tournament preparation but were subjected to a change of plans after the CAF conducted a fresh draw that saw them pooled against the host country.

Rising Stars are pooled in Group B alongside Morocco, Tunisia, and Nigeria.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Babu acknowledged the monumental task awaiting his young charges.

“We acknowledge that we’re in a highly competitive group, but we also understand that to become champions, you must be ready to face the best. Our focus is on thorough preparation to give ourselves the best chance of achieving positive results and progressing deep into the tournament.

“This is a well-rounded and strong squad. I believe the boys have what it takes to compete at the highest level and provide great competition at the U20 AFCON. We are not going just to participate; we are going to compete and make our mark,” Babu said.

Kenya will open their group match on Thursday, May 1, 2025, against Morocco at 6:00 PM.

Rising Stars in action during a previous match. PHOTO/@Harambee__Stars/X

Kenya will begin their campaign on Thursday, May 1, 2025, with a clash against Morocco at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

They will then face Tunisia on Sunday, May 4, 2025, before wrapping up their group stage fixtures against Nigeria on Wednesday, May 7, 2025,—all at the same Cairo venue.

The team, led by skipper Amos Wanjala and Baron Ochieng, will be hoping to finish among the top two teams from the group to proceed past the preliminary stage.