This is just the beginning, Wangaya says despite AFCON U20 exit
Despite Kenya’s early exit from the U20 AFCON, midfielder Kevin Wangaya Injehu remains optimistic about the team’s future, after being named Man of the Match in their final group game against Nigeria.
Rising Stars midfielder Kevin Wangaya remains hopeful about the future despite Kenya's early exit from the TotalEnergies Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Cairo, Egypt.
Wangaya, who was named Man of the Match in Kenya’s final Group B fixture - a 2-2 draw against Nigeria on Wednesday - said the recognition gave him renewed motivation.
“I’d like to thank God because experiencing something like this is not easy,” he said. “I would also like to thank my team - without them, I would not have won this award - and I thank the technical bench and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for their support.”
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Although Kenya failed to progress beyond the group stage, Wangaya believes the team has taken valuable lessons from the tournament.
“This is a big motivation. It shows that there is something good. We just have to go back home, restrategise, and work harder,” he added.
Kevin Wangaya named Man of the Match 🆚 Nigeria 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 #RisingStars pic.twitter.com/fREa4uXLkJ
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) May 7, 2025
Wangaya opened the scoring with a 13th-minute penalty, but Nigeria equalised before half-time through Kparabo Ariehi.
Kenya regained the lead in the 68th minute when substitute William Gitama finished off a well-worked set piece from close range. However, Nigeria captain Daniel Bameyi restored parity five minutes later, converting a penalty after Lawrence Ouma was adjudged to have fouled Rickson Mendes.
The Rising Stars exit the tournament having lost their opening two matches to Morocco and Tunisia.
Assistant coach Anthony Akhulia also expressed confidence in the squad’s potential.
“This team has been together for some time now, evolving from the U18 level,” he said. “The goal is for most of these players -if not all - to move up to the senior team as we head into CECAFA, CHAN, and AFCON 2027. This is the team that will do it for us.”
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