AFCON Under-20: Kenya begins hunt tonight with tough test against Morocco

Kenya's National Men's Under 20 team, The Rising Stars, will, on Labour Day, begin their Africa Cup of Nations Under 20 championships campaign in Egypt by taking on seasoned campaigners Morocco from 9 pm Kenyan time.

The evening kick off will be a stiff examination for Salim Babu's charges, who will take on perennial competitors Morocco, the pre match favourites, at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo Egypt.

This will be the first of three engaging fixtures to come for the Rising Stars, in a tough Group B that also consists of Nigeria and Tunisia, both perennial AFCON and World Cup campaigners at this level.

Nigeria have won the competition seven times in their history, the most recent being back in 2015.

Morocco have done it once, in 1997, while Tunisia have been runners up in the competition, in 1985 and finished in fourth place at the last championships in 2023.

Kenya, led by head coach Babu in Egypt are hoping to upset the 'bigger' nations and the experienced coach hopes that the promise of a better future for each of his boys with the eyes of the world watching, will drive them to chase success.

Nonetheless, the boys are prepared to perform.

"We have been in camp for over a month now, and we are ready for the first match tonight. The team has been focused and settled. The boys are confident and we are eyeing victory," he told Radio Generation Sport.

The Rising Stars will next face Tunisia on Sunday evening, followed by a mouthwatering clash against the highly rated Nigerians on Wednesday next week.

The Africa U20 Cup of Nations began April 27, with the final set for May 18, 2025.

It was initially set to be hosted in the Ivory Coast, but that situation changed after the Ivorians pulled out at the last minute, citing financial challenges.

Rising Stars, have been in residential training for the past eight weeks in Nairobi and also in Egypt after securing their spot in the tournament during the CECAFA qualifiers, where they reached the final late 2024.

They narrowly lost 2-1 to hosts Tanzania, but as per the rules, both teams progressed to the AFCON finals.

The Tanzanians are in group A of the competition.

They lost 1-0 to South Africa in their opening fixture last evening.

Full Kenya Under-20 squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers: Kevin Oduor, Wyclifford Oduor, Bernard Jairo

Defenders: Baron Ochieng, Humphrey Obina, Jackson Imbiakha, Joseph Bate, Manzu Okwaro, Amos Wanjala, Talena Ochieng, Collins Ochieng

Midfielders: Kevin Wangaya, Emilio Brian, Irad Mshindi, Mark Shaban, Humphrey Aroko, Aldrine Kibet, Kelly Madada

Attackers: Hassan Beja, Ezekieh Omuri, Elly Owande, William Gitama, Javan Omondi, Lawrence Ouma, Oliver Machaka