U20 AFCON kicks off in Egypt as Rising Stars fine-tune ahead of Morocco opener

Kenya's Under-20 football team, the Rising Stars, have intensified preparations in Cairo ahead of their opening match of the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The tournament kicked off on Sunday, with hosts Egypt edging South Africa 1-0 in a Group A clash, while Zambia and Sierra Leone settled for a goalless draw.

Head coach Salim Babu’s side is set to begin their Group B campaign on Thursday, May 1, against Morocco at the 30th June Stadium in Cairo. Kick-off is scheduled for 10pm EAT.

“We are going on with our preparations and after the 2-2 draw against Ghana in the friendly, it has boosted our morale on what to expect when we start the campaign,’ said assistant coach Godfrey Oduor.

The Rising Stars will then face Tunisia on May 4, before wrapping up their group stage matches against Nigeria on May 7, in what has been dubbed the tournament's ‘group of death.’

Oduor confirmed a few injury concerns in camp but remained optimistic.

“There are some few knocks on players but our team doctors are handling it, and we hope we will have a full squad on Thursday.”

Team captain Amos Wanjala urged Kenyans to support the team and expressed confidence in their readiness, promising to give out their maximum efforts to fly the Kenyan flag high.

“Kenyans should expect good a performance because we had good training sessions and we are ready to go,” he noted.

Fixtures

30.4.25 – South Africa U20 vs Tanzania U20 (18:00 EAT)

30.4.25 – Sierra Leone U20 vs Egypt U20 (21:00 EAT)