Second loss in a row leaves Rising Stars on brink of AFCON exit
The loss leaves Kenya's Rising Stars on the brink of exiting the competition.
Tunisia came from behind to claim a 3-1 victory over Kenya in their second Group B match at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 Sunday evening at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.
The loss leaves Kenya's Rising Stars on the brink of exiting the competition outright, especially with this being their second loss of the competition, following a narrow 3-2 loss to Morocco on matchday one.
Their only hope of making any progress will be on Wednesday when they take on Nigeria.
They need a win and some luck to see them through to the next round as one of the best third place finishers.
After a narrow opening-day defeat to Nigeria, Tunisia entered the match desperate to avoid a second successive loss.
Their response was emphatic in the second half, as goals from Omar Ben Ali and Alaeddine Derbali secured all three points for the North Africans.
Kenya had struck first in a lively encounter.
Lawrence Ouma gave the East Africans a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute, pouncing from close range after a smart assist by Hassan Beja.
It was a reward for a bright first-half showing by Kenya.
However, Tunisia found a route back into the game just before half-time through a penalty converted by Farès Bousnina, following a VAR review for handball by Baron Ochieng in the box.
The equaliser shifted momentum Tunisia's way going into the break.
The Carthage Eagles emerged dominant after the restart.
Ben Ali made it 2-1 in the 70th minute with a composed finish from close range after persistent attacking pressure.
Derbali then sealed the victory five minutes from time with a spectacular long-range strike that flew into the top corner.
Kenya remain without a point from two matches and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.
They will need to beat Nigeria by a large score to give them a chance to qualify as one of the best second place finishers.
Tunisia’s win lifts them to three points in Group B, behind Nigeria and Morocco who have four points each.
All four teams are still in contention.
Kenya take on Nigeria Wednesday at 6 pm Kenyan time.