Kenya’s Rising Stars’ journey in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt looks all but ended following their second Group D defeat against Tunisia on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

A 3-1 slump to Tunisia snapped the dream of progression to the knockout stages, with the team now winless and propping up Group A standings with zero points after two games.

Kenya opened their campaign against host Morocco on Thursday, May 1, 2025, and despite coming up short in a 3-2 thriller, optimism reigned with two group games to decide their fate.

Sunday’s clash against Tunisia, who slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in their opening group tie, stood as the East Africans’ best route for a maiden victory in the championship.

Blow lead against Tunisia

Lawrence Ouma’s opener in the 38th minute set Kenya on the way before a stunning comeback sparked by another penalty conceded moments before halftime saw the home side come tumbling down.

With the loss, Kenya’s prospects of finishing among the two best third-placed teams were further complicated.

Tunisia moved third in the group on three points as Morocco and Nigeria, who battled to a 0-0 draw, occupy the top positions.

The shared points leave both teams on four points, but the Moroccans lead the group on goal difference.

Beleaguered Salim Babu’s charges now await a final group game against Nigeria on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in what is a dead-rubber game.

If Kenya were to win and match Tunisia’s goal difference, the latter would still claim advantage on the head-to-head basis.

It, however, promises to be quite a task against the West Africans, who head into the match unbeaten after two games.

Meanwhile, the scramble for the two best-placed third-ranked teams will intensify as the tournament continues this Monday, May 5, with two Group C games on the cards.

Scramble for qualification

Group A, comprising the three-time champions and hosts Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania, looks likely to produce one of the best-ranked third-place finishers, with Zambia and South Africa in strong positions to advance.

Meanwhile, Group C, which has produced strange upsets in the competition so far, remains an open group with all four teams standing a chance to advance.

All four teams are tied on one point after drawing their opening games.

The final list of teams qualifying from the preliminary stages will be made conclusive following the conclusion of group ties on Friday, May 9, 2025.

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