𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝟐𝟎 𝐀𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐍.

By Florence Simiyu, TMG journalist.

Kenya’s national Under-20 football team, the Rising Stars, is gearing up for a historic debut at the Total Energies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Egypt in 2025.

This marks the first time Kenya will participate in the prestigious youth tournament, following an impressive qualifying campaign where they finished second in the CECAFA U-20 Championship without losing a single match.During the qualifiers, the Rising Stars showcased their attacking prowess, scoring 14 goals and conceding only once. A dominant 4-0 victory over Burundi in the semi-finals highlighted their strength, and although they narrowly lost to Tanzania in the final, their performance demonstrated Kenya’s rising stature in youth football.

Kenya has been drawn in Group B alongside African football giants Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia. Despite the tough group, the Rising Stars head into the tournament with confidence and determination. The team is eager to prove themselves and showcase the progress of Kenyan youth football on the continental stage.

Head coach Salim Babu confirmed that the team has already arrived in Egypt and kicked off light training sessions. Unexpectedly favorable weather conditions have aided their early preparations. Babu also mentioned that a friendly match against Ghana will help the team fine-tune their tactics and identify any weaknesses ahead of their opening match.Kenya’s first game will be against Morocco on Thursday, May 1.

Although regarded as underdogs, the Rising Stars are entering the competition with high morale, solid preparation, and a strong belief in their abilities. With tactical discipline, creativity, and unity, the team hopes to make a lasting impression and write a new chapter in Kenya’s football history.