Musingu’s Mwinamo tips brave Rising Stars to shine in U-20 AFCON

Musingu High School head coach Brendan Mwinamo has backed the national Under-20 football team, the Rising Stars, to shine in this year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to begin from April 27 – 18 May, 2025 in Cairo, Egypt.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Mwinamo said the squad has talented players who are capable of delivering a solid performance in the upcoming competition.

“The expectations are very high among Kenyans who have seen the team together for some time. The players have quality to deliver good results led by an experienced technical bench. So I expect some good results in the competition,” said Mwinano. 

Kenya is in pool C alongside defending champions Senegal, Zambia and Sierra Leone, and Mwinamo calls for the inclusion of more local players from the clubs and schools that have been under their radar.

They will start off the tournament against Sierra Leone on May 1, 2025, followed by Zambia on May 4th, before rounding off the group stage with Senegal on May 7th.

“Local players need to be given priority because it was easy to monitor them as compared to the foreign-based (players) who for some it’s had to monitor their progress. I think there is enough depth,” added Mwinamo.

The veteran tactician further urged football fans to give the new Football Kenya Federation officials time to work and meet their expectations.

“They are new in the office and I feel they need to be given enough time to settle in and deliver what they promised. That is the only way we can grow the game in the country,” stated the head coach.

The Rising Stars booked their ticket to the continental showpiece after a strong showing at the 2024 CECAFA U20 Qualifiers, where they finished second, narrowly losing the final to Tanzania.