Kenya’s Rising Stars held a light training session this morning in Cairo ahead of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025.
Led by head coach Salim Babu, the Rising Stars are making their debut in the junior tournament and will be aiming to exceed expectations by reaching the second round.
Kenya has been drawn into Group B, widely regarded as the "group of death," alongside seven-time champions Nigeria, 1997 champions Morocco, and Tunisia.
The 26-man squad was initially scheduled for a one-week training camp in Morocco. However, due to logistical issues, the Football Kenya Federation changed plans and flew the team directly to Cairo.
The team had been camping in Nairobi for the past month and has now been boosted by the arrival of captain Amos Wanjala, who plays in Spain’s Division Six with Athletic Club Torrellano.
The tall defender had been allowed to stay longer with his club to participate in important matches before joining the national team.
Among the standout players to watch are assistant captain Baron Ochieng, Manzur Okwaro, Kelly Madada, Hassan Beja, Mark Shaban, and Aldrine Kibet.
Ochieng believes the team has an equal chance of advancing to the second round, despite being viewed as underdogs.
“We have had good preparations in training. The intensity has been going up every day, and so has our confidence — and we are good to go,” said Ochieng.
The Rising Stars will kick off their campaign on Thursday, 1st May 2025, at 10:00 p.m., against Morocco at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo. They will then face Tunisia on Sunday, 4th May 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
They will conclude their group stage matches against Nigeria on Wednesday, 7th May 2025, also at 7:00 p.m., at the same venue.
Assistant coach Anthony Akhulia expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well, noting that they will develop strategies for each game to ensure a spot in the quarter-finals.
“We remain focused on our preparations for the tournament despite the change of draw. Winning our first match is important, as it will give us morale for the remaining matches,” said Akhulia before departure yesterday.
The top two teams in each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarter-finals. The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, 2025.
