Rising Stars face Morocco as Kenya returns to AFCON U20 after 46 years

The Rising Stars are set to begin their 2025 AFCON U20 campaign on Thursday when they take on Morocco U20 in their opening group match of the tournament hosted by Egypt. The match will be played at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo and is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 pm EAT.

It marks the end of a 46-year absence for Kenya, who last featured in the competition’s inaugural edition in 1979. At the time, the tournament was played in a home-and-away format before CAF upgraded it to a full-scale tournament with a host nation in 1991.

Coincidentally, Kenya’s opponents in Group B - Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia -  were all among the 11 teams that featured in the first edition. The only other team at this year’s tournament that also participated in 1979 is Egypt, who hosted the last edition in 2023.

However, Kenya met none of those sides in 1979, having been eliminated in the first round following a 4–2 aggregate loss to Ethiopia.

Now, the Rising Stars return eager to write a new chapter in Kenya’s history at the competition.

“We have trained well since we arrived in Egypt. Everyone is in good shape and ready to compete,” Rising Stars coach Salim Babu said on the eve of their match against Morocco. He added that the team had done their homework.

“Morocco do not know our players as well as we know theirs. We’ve watched some of their matches and have a clear idea of their game plan. We aim to capitalise on that,” Babu stated.

Kenya’s quest to rewrite the story of youth football on the continent does not get any easier, with the Rising Stars drawn against two former champions and a previous finalist in the group stage.

Nigeria are the tournament’s most successful side with seven titles and finished third in the last edition in 2023.

Morocco won their only title on home soil in 1997 and have since heavily invested in youth football, with expectations high for that investment to bear fruit.

Tunisia, last in the final 40 years ago in 1985, have shown signs of resurgence, having reached the semifinals in the last two editions.

Despite these daunting profiles, the Rising Stars remain undeterred. Their journey over the past two years — which saw them reach the finals of the CECAFA U18 and U20 tournaments — has instilled belief that even as underdogs, they are a force to be reckoned with.

“We know the challenge ahead of us. We also know we carry the hopes of the nation, and we’ll give our all to reach the knockout stages. The boys have been together for a long time and know each other very well. We started this journey together from the U18s and that cohesion will work in our favour,” Babu noted.

Earlier this week, team captain Amos Wanjala echoed those sentiments. “We didn’t come to Egypt for a holiday. We’re here to compete, and we’ll face each team as it comes,” said Wanjala, who plays for AC Torrellano in Spain’s Fourth Division.

His remarks came after Kenya’s 2–2 draw against four-time champions Ghana U20 in a friendly played last Thursday - just three days after the team arrived in Cairo.

“Against Ghana, we showed we’re a good side. We learned a lot from the game, and while we’re sure we gave them something to think about, we’re more focused on the lessons we took from the match,” said Wanjala, a central defender.

MATCH DAY! 🇰🇪🔥

🏁 | Match Card
⚽ | Kenya 🆚 Morocco
🏆 | AFCON U-20
📅 | Thursday, 1 May 2025
⏰ | 9PM EAT
🏟 | 30 June Air Defence Stadium, Cairo

Let’s go, #RisingStars! 🇰🇪#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/4PH9aqgcIF

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) May 1, 2025

Coach Babu also reflected on the significance of the friendly.

“Ghana were a good test, and our boys pushed them to the limit. Playing their age mates gave them a real sense of what to expect. Their performance convinced me they have what it takes to go far in this tournament,” he said.

He added that their preparations were unaffected by the reshuffling of group stage opponents following Ivory Coast’s withdrawal as hosts and CAF’s subsequent redraw.

“We were ready to face any team in the tournament,” Babu affirmed.

The match against Morocco will pit two contrasting squads against each other.

Kenya have the highest number of local-based players (21 out of 26) in Group B, while Morocco boast the highest number of foreign-based players (20 out of 26).

Elsewhere in the group, Nigeria have six foreign-based players in their 24-man squad, while Tunisia have 11 in their 26-man team.

Whether those dynamics will have any impact remains to be seen, but Babu is confident in his squad’s depth and quality. “It doesn’t matter who I pick to play — all my players are at the same level,” he said.

Babu has also repeatedly stressed the importance of starting the tournament on a high note.

“A win in our first match will build our confidence for the rest of the tournament, especially with World Cup qualification at stake. Reaching the quarterfinals gives us a clear shot at the semis and beyond,” he said.

Following their opener against Morocco on May 1, the Rising Stars will play Tunisia on May 4 before wrapping up the group stage against Nigeria on May 7.

A semifinal berth guarantees qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile from 27 September to 19 October.

This year’s AFCON U20 tournament, which kicked off on April 27, features 13 teams. Group A comprises five teams, while Groups B and C have four each.

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Under the current format, the top two teams from each group and the two best-ranked third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

Beyond World Cup qualification, individual players will be aiming to catch the eye of scouts in attendance.

FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga underlined that point earlier this week: “We urge our players to give their best because there will be scouts from all over the world following this tournament keenly.”

Coach Babu agreed: “The players know that by being in this tournament, they’re on the market — and that will push them to perform.”

The tournament’s legacy is significant, having produced stars such as Andre Ayew and Michael Essien (Ghana), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Patson Daka (Zambia), Seydou Keita (Mali), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Yankuba Minteh (The Gambia), and Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast).

It’s a legacy that inspires, but as assistant captain Baron Ochieng’ reminded his teammates before departure, players must remember to put the team first. “Individual accolades mean nothing if they do not help the prosperity of the team,” he said.

At the team’s flag-off ceremony at State House, Ochieng’ added a stirring note that now defines their mission: “It’s a privilege to represent Kenya, and in Egypt, we will fight as brothers to make our nation proud.”

He capped it with a bold promise — “We will reach the final.”

The moment has now arrived for Salim Babu’s band of brothers to live up to those words -  and anyone standing in their way had better be ready for the fight of their lives.