Kenya U20s Start Youth Africa Cup of Nations Campaign with Loss to Morocco in Group B

The Kenya national under-20 football team, known as the Rising Stars, commenced their TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey with a narrow 3-2 loss to Morocco in Group B at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, May 1st.

This marks the first time the East African side has participated in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament. They initially took the lead in the 15th minute with a goal from Lawrence Ouma, but Morocco equalised just before half-time through Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal.

Morocco surged ahead with a goal from Yassir Zabiri in the 55th minute, yet Kenya managed to equalise again in the 71st minute thanks to Hassan Beja. Unfortunately for Kenya, Reda Laalaoui scored the decisive goal for Morocco in the 78th minute.

Morocco had the opportunity to extend their lead from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, but Othmane Maamma’s attempt was brilliantly saved.

Head coach Salim Babu opted for Kariobangi Sharks goalkeeper Bernard Jairo as his first choice, while the defensive line featured Collins Ochieng on the left, Manzur Okwaro and skipper Amos Wanjala in the centre, with Baron Ochieng on the right.

In midfield, Kevin Wanganya and Andreas Odhiambo occupied the central roles, while Hassan Beja, Adrine Kibet, and Elly Owade supported Lawrence Ouma, who played as the lone striker.

Despite being viewed as underdogs, Kenya started the match on the front foot, nearly scoring within six minutes. Beja played a series of intricate passes with Kibet before releasing Owade on goal. However, Owade took too long to decide, allowing Moroccan defender Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal to avert the danger.

Showing relentless energy, the Rising Stars created another promising chance in the 12th minute. Kibet, currently with Spanish club Gimnàstic de Tarragona, found Beja unmarked in Morocco’s penalty area with a pinpoint cross, but Beja’s header sailed over the bar.

Kenya’s persistence finally bore fruit in the 21st minute when Ouma found the net for their inaugural goal at this level of AFCON. After a short corner, Kibet laid the ball off to Odhiambo, who delivered a right-footed cross that Ouma met with a powerful header, beating goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch.

The goal appeared to rattle Morocco, prompting them to press for an equaliser. Their best chance came when Yassir Zabiri hit the upright with a powerful left-footed strike after evading the Kenya defence, serving as a stark warning to the Rising Stars.

Kenya’s goalkeeper Jairo was called to action again in the 34th minute, making a fantastic double save to deny Zabiri and then Saad El Haddad, both of whom had clear opportunities to score.

Morocco ultimately found their equaliser just before half-time through Ait Boudlal. Following a blocked shot from El Haddad, the ball fell to Ait Boudlal, who finished from close range despite initial concerns over offside. Following a VAR check, referee Akhona Makalima awarded the goal, leaving the score tied at 1-1 going into the interval.

Unlike the first half, Morocco started the second period with greater intensity. In the 49th minute, Reda Laalaoui tested Jairo with a strike that was comfortably saved, despite Ait Boudlal being well-placed for a potential goal.

In the 52nd minute, Morocco almost found the net again when a corner found Boukamir, whose powerful header struck the woodwork. Five minutes later, Kenya had a solid opportunity of their own, but Beja’s shot was blocked by a Moroccan defender.

Morocco then took the lead in the 55th minute following a swift counter-attack, with Ali Maamar skillfully weaving past defenders before finding Zabiri, who headed home, albeit suffering an injury in the process and was subsequently replaced by Hamza Koutoune. Kenya made substitutions of their own with Javan Omondi and Humphrey Aroko entering the fray.

Kenya managed to equalise again in the 71st minute when a free-kick from Kibet found Wanganya, who set up Beja. The AFC Leopards winger, unmarked, cleverly placed the ball into the top corner from outside the box.

However, a critical defensive error by Kenya led to Morocco regaining the lead. Following a foul on Wanjala, the Kenyan defence hesitated to clear the ball, allowing Laalaoui to score from a cross by Maamar.

This goal was met with protests from Kenyan players, and a VAR check was initiated, but the goal was ultimately confirmed. Morocco’s dominance continued when Maamar was fouled in the box by Baron Ochieng, resulting in another penalty award. Although Jairo saved Maamar’s penalty kick, this was the final action of a thrilling match, with Kenya battling hard but unable to secure a draw.

With this victory, Morocco sits atop the group with three points, level with Nigeria, who won their match against Tunisia 1-0. Kenya remains third, yet to secure a point, with Tunisia in fourth place.

Kenya’s next clash is with Tunisia on Saturday, May 4th (kick-off at 18:00 EAT), followed by their final group match against Nigeria on Wednesday, May 7th (kick-off at 18:00 EAT).