Despite suffering defeats in their initial two matches at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, Kenya’s national U20 squad, the Rising Stars, have been urged to take pride in their efforts.
Under the guidance of head coach Salim Babu, the Rising Stars are competing in this prestigious tournament for the first time. They began their journey with a narrow 3-2 loss to Morocco in Group B, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Tunisia.
In their match against the Young Atlas Lions, the Rising Stars had the North Africans on the back foot, forcing them to come back from behind twice before the game ended in a thrilling contest that highlighted the sheer intensity of youth football in Africa.
Kenya started positively, taking the lead in the 16th minute when Lawrence Ouma soared to head home a well-placed free kick from Kevin Injehu. However, Morocco quickly equalised as Yassir Zabiri capitalised on a scoring chance, with the goal confirmed by VAR after questions arose about a potential foul in the build-up.
Just ten minutes into the second half, Zabiri netted his second with a close-range header, putting Morocco ahead, but Kenya would not be deterred.
They struck back in the 71st minute when Hassan Beja scored from the centre of the box following some slick interplay with Aldrine Kibet, making it 2-2.
However, the North Africans continued to apply pressure and restored their lead in the 78th minute. Reda Laalaoui found the net after connecting with a clever pass from Saad El Haddad, finishing calmly to make it 3-2.
In their encounter with Tunisia, who had suffered a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in their opening match, Kenya again took the lead, with Ouma scoring from close range thanks to a clever assist from Hassan Beja.
However, Tunisia equalised just before half-time as Fares Bousnina converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Baron Ochieng.
The Carthage Eagles looked more dominant after the break. They introduced substitutes Omar Ben Ali and Alaeddine Derbali, who significantly influenced the game.
Ben Ali put Tunisia ahead in the 70th minute with a composed finish following relentless attacking pressure.
Derbali then sealed the match for his side five minutes from time, scoring with a stunning long-range shot that found the top corner, completing an impressive second-half display from Tunisia and snapping a four-match winless streak at the finals.
Kenya’s commendable efforts
Former Gor Mahia coach Bob Oyugi commended the Rising Stars for their commendable performances, insisting they should hold their heads high following the tournament.
“I believe the coaches and players have gained valuable insights, highlighting the evolution of football in Africa, which has progressed from simply employing numerous forwards to tactical, high-pressure play,” said Oyugi.
“During the match against Morocco, Kenya showcased their skills well, demonstrating dominance and composure, even against a team with a rich tournament legacy. They fought hard for every ball and showed resilience under pressure.”
“Many expected an easy victory for Morocco, predicting substantial losses for Kenya, yet the Rising Stars dispelled those notions.”
“To score the first goal, briefly concede, and promptly recover against a tactically astute team like Morocco indicates that Kenyan football is progressing in the right direction.”
“They displayed a fighting spirit, and although Morocco’s winning goal was the result of a defensive lapse rather than an outright failure, they were forced into that position after miscommunication on a potentially foul ball.”
Oyugi elaborated on the tactical evolution in African football: “Both teams in the Kenya-Morocco match displayed flexibility, quickly adapting to various game situations. The players were versatile and competent in switching roles between defence and attack.”
“With robust planning and ongoing development for African coaches, the continent’s talent pool is rich and abundant.”
Football Kenya Federation must nurture the Rising Stars
As the secretary of the Kenya Football Coaches Association (KEFOCA), Oyugi urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to ensure the team remains intact and exposed to numerous international friendlies.
“The FKF must nurture this squad, providing opportunities for them to engage in high-level competitive matches,” emphasized Oyugi, who led Gor Mahia to a Premier League title in 1993.
“The talent within this team is unmistakable; all they require is exposure. They must compete against the best and be consistently retained within the system.”
Oyugi continued: “Modern football demands players specialise in specific positions and understand complex tactical frameworks. This is what dedicated Kenyan coaches have gleaned from the tournament.”
“We need to embrace and adapt to contemporary trends. The FKF must maintain this team as they represent a significant future for Kenyan football. The players should not feel like they have let Kenyans down; they have put in tremendous effort against formidable teams and scored extraordinary goals.”
“More collaborations and sponsorship initiatives are critical for the federation, alongside increased governmental support for infrastructure advancements.”
Although Kenya’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals appear slim after the two losses, Oyugi has encouraged the players to enjoy their upcoming match against Nigeria.
“When facing Nigeria, they should play without pressure. The Nigerians will be eager to secure a victory to progress further in the tournament. We aim to end on a positive note against Nigeria, focusing on the players’ creativity and flair,” he concluded.
Currently, the Rising Stars sit at the bottom of their group, with no points from two matches. Morocco leads with four points, followed closely by Nigeria with the same, while Tunisia holds three points in third place.
Kenya’s matchup against Nigeria is set to take place at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday, May 7th.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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