Kenya’s Under-20 team Rising Stars will kick off their historic campaign at the 2025 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cairo today, facing Morocco in their opening match.  

Under the guidance of coach Salim Babu, Rising Stars aim to make their mark in the tournament, which marks their debut appearance at this level.  

They have been drawn alongside record seven-time champions Nigeria, former winners Tunisia, and Morocco. 

Apart from battling for continental supremacy, four slots for the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be at stake in the 18th edition of the tournament (25th if the editions without hosts are included), which will feature 13 nations. 

Ahead of the opener, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice President McDonald Mariga explained why the Rising Stars must work hard to excel at the showpiece. 

“In this tournament, we have many agents who will be scouting for players because this is the right age to find good players to represent their clubs,” said Mariga, who won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto.  

“My message to Kenyan players is that they should give their best because this is where the future begins.” 

The tournament kicked off on Sunday, April 27, with the opening match between Zambia and Sierra Leone at Suez Canal Stadium ending in a 0-0 draw, while the second fixture saw Egypt edge South Africa 1-0 at Cairo International Stadium. 

The Rising Stars’ journey to the continental tournament was marked by resilience and a hunger for success.  

The squad is determined to show their potential on the big stage. Kenya booked their ticket to the showpiece after a strong showing at the 2024 CECAFA U-20 Qualifiers, where they finished second, narrowly losing the final to Tanzania. 

Their road to the finals saw them dominate the competition with a series of excellent performances, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Burundi in the semi-finals. 

Rising Stars went unbeaten throughout the tournament, with four wins and one draw, scoring 14 goals and conceding just one. Despite falling short in the final against Tanzania, their overall display showed the world that Kenya’s youth football is on the rise. 

The qualification marked a major milestone for the country’s youth football development, giving the Rising Stars the opportunity to compete on a continental stage and showcase their talent against Africa’s best. 

Though they head into the tournament as underdogs, Kenya have players who have impressed and could help them go far in the competition. 

Some of their key players include captain Amos Wanjala, who led from the front as Kenya went unbeaten and showcased their attacking flair with 14 goals scored and just one conceded. 

Manzur Okwaro and Ezekiel Omuri are also part of Kenya’s travelling squad.  

Okwaro’s solid presence at the back, leadership, and defensive stability make him one of Kenya’s most reliable players, while Omuri’s speed and technical ability make him a constant threat in front of goal. The tournament follows a three-group format.  

Group A contains five teams, while Groups B and C feature four teams each. 

The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals.  

The tournament concludes on May 18, 2025.