AFCON Under 20: Kenya begins tournament with loss to Morocco

The Kenya Under 20 national football team, 'The Rising Stars' began their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt with a narrow 3-2 loss to Morocco as the tourney reached day three of action at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo Thursday night.

Lawrence Ouma handed Kenya a 16th-minute lead with a header off a free kick from Kevin Wangaya.

It was lead that lasted until two minutes to half time when Momahed Zabiri reacted to poor defending to equalise, making matters 1-1 at half time.

Zabiri would provide the Moroccans with their second goal of the day, ten minutes into the second half, following laxity in Kenya's defensive unit.

With the prospect of defeat looming, the Rising Stars upped their efforts from then henceforth and were rewarded on 71 minutes when Hassan Beja scored to make it 2-2 following great set up play from Aldrine Kibet.

Kenya is locked in a tough group B together with Nigeria and Tunisia, and with that in mind, a draw at this point looked a favourable result for the East African unit.

That was not to be as the Moroccans sealed victory through Rashid Laalooui, who slid home on 78 minutes to hand his side the three points.

Despite some last-minute pressure, the Kenyans failed to get an equaliser.

Kenya's head coach Salim Babu saluted his boys for their efforts and says that they will take on Tunisia without fear.

"The players showed that they are capable at this level, and we were unlucky today. We will go again on Sunday," he told Broadcast Media in Egypt, following the clash.

Nigeria beat Tunisia 1-0 in the other group B match played Thursday night in Cairo. Auwal Ibrahim scored the lone goal to hand the West African side a strong start to the competition.

Morocco lead the group with three points, similar to Nigeria, who have scored fewer goals than their rivals.

Kenya is third and Tunisia bottom of the group.

Tunisia and Kenya face off on Sunday at 6 pm Kenyan time in their second group match that will be a must-win for both sides if they are to have any chance of making it to the last eight.

The top two teams in each of the three groups will make it to the knockout stages, with the final two slots reserved for the best third-placed finishers.

The semifinalists in this competition will automatically qualify for the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup to be held in Chile from 7 September to 19 October 2025.