EXCLUSIVE: Salim Babu Commits to Leading Kenya Beyond the Group Stage at U20 AFCON Tournament

The head coach of the Kenya U20 national team, Salim Babu, has expressed unwavering confidence that the East African nation will do its utmost to advance beyond the group stages of the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled from April 18th to April 26th.

Competing for the first time in this tournament, formerly known as the African Youth Championship and the African U20 Championship, Kenya’s Rising Stars will showcase their abilities on a continental level. Organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the tournament serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U20 World Cup, which features teams comprised of players under 20 years old.

Kenya secured its place in the tournament following a resounding 4-0 win against Burundi in the semi-finals of the U20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers on October 18th, 2024. The team demonstrated a stellar performance in the second half, with Lawrence Okoth netting the first goal in the 52nd minute, which ignited Kenya’s offensive prowess.

Hassan Beja added the second goal with a precise shot in the 66th minute, and Aldrine Kibet contributed to the scoreline with a third goal just three minutes later. Louise Ingavi brought the match to a close with a goal in stoppage time at the 90+4 minute mark, sealing a historic victory for the Rising Stars and marking their first qualification for the U20 AFCON.

Throughout the qualifiers, Kenya proved unbeatable, achieving four wins and one draw, while scoring 14 times and conceding just once. This qualification represents a significant leap forward for the development of youth football in Kenya, granting the Rising Stars a platform to compete against Africa’s elite.

Mission Possible for the Underdogs

Babu, who also manages Nairobi City Stars in the Kenyan Premier League, noted that while the Rising Stars are seen as underdogs, they will spare no effort in their bid to progress from the group stage.

Kenya finds itself in Group C alongside the reigning champions Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. Group A includes the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast, while Group B features Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco.

Due to government interference in FECAFOOT operations, Congo was suspended on February 6th, 2025, and removed from the draw. The Central African Republic stepped in as a replacement on March 22nd, 2025.

“It’s a fact that Kenya has never reached this stage before; we will undoubtedly enter the tournament as underdogs. However, we are aware of our capabilities, the quality of our squad, and the goals we are striving to achieve,” Babu stated.

Babu added, “If we succeed in winning our first two matches in the group stage, we will qualify for the quarter-finals. That is our primary goal and plan: nothing less than reaching the quarters—our focus is solely on advancing, and we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of this objective.”

Speaking about the team’s preparation, Babu noted: “We have had a solid training period, having trained for over a week since our residential camp resumed on Monday, and from what I observe, the players are well-prepared to face the best in Africa.

“The training has been exceptional, with each player eager to earn their place in the team for our inaugural AFCON appearance. What stands out is their commitment to representing their country, which gives me confidence that we have a talented and motivated squad ready to bring joy to Kenyans.”

Babu mentioned that five players, including Spain-based Aldrine Kibet, have yet to join the camp, implying their addition will strengthen the team’s preparation for the tournament, where the four semi-finalists will qualify for the CAF representatives in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

“We anticipate the arrival of other players, such as Amos (Wanjala) and Kibet. Currently, we have around five players who have not yet reported to camp. Once they join us, the squad will be complete, and we will be ready to go, but the preparations with those present are progressing well,” Babu explained.

He also commended the support of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Vice-President MacDonald Mariga, who has attended training sessions to uplift the players’ spirits.

“On behalf of the players and the entire team, I would like to extend our gratitude to FKF and Vice-President Mariga for his support. He has consistently been in camp since we embarked on this journey, and his presence has greatly motivated the players, especially given his illustrious playing career, which serves as an inspiration.”

Babu concluded with a message to Kenyans: “We understand the expectations surrounding us as we approach our first-ever AFCON appearance. Rest assured, we will not disappoint. We have trained diligently, are clear about our objectives, and we aim to progress beyond the group—we will strive to achieve this, and we ask for your encouragement and prayers.”

Not Tourists, But Title Contenders

Team captain Baron Ochieng echoed Babu’s sentiments, emphasising their objective is to bring home the AFCON trophy.

“Our progress has been impressive, and the chemistry within the team is strengthening, which enhances our cohesiveness,” said Ochieng.

Reflecting on Kenya’s group, the Sofapaka player stated: “We are in good form; many squad members have played together for an extended period, dating back to our U18 days in 2023. This familiarity allows us to understand one another well.”

Ochieng affirmed: “We aren’t merely participating in this tournament—we aim for the title. That’s the message Kenyans need to receive. Every team in our group poses challenges, but we have previously faced Senegal, even at the senior level, and often come away with positive results.”

CAF to Select New Host Following Ivory Coast Withdrawal

The host nation for this edition was initially determined at the 2024 CAF Executive Committee meeting and CAF Awards held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 16th, 2024, with Ivory Coast appointed as the hosting nation.

However, on Tuesday, March 26th, 2025, it was officially announced that Ivory Coast had withdrawn as hosts and forfeited their automatic qualification, though the new host has yet to be revealed.