Brave Kenya exit AFCON U20 after draw with Nigeria

Kenya’s U20 side, the Rising Stars, bowed out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a spirited 2-2 draw against Nigeria in their final Group B clash in Cairo. While the result wasn’t enough to keep Kenya in the tournament, it was a performance full of heart, character, and moments of brilliance against a side that progressed to the quarter-finals alongside Morocco.

The Rising Stars, who had lost their first two matches despite taking early leads, once again started brightly. Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Lawrence Ouma as the lone striker and captain Kevin Wangaya pulling the strings behind him, Kenya wasted no time asserting themselves.

In just the 3rd minute, a shot by Ouma struck the arm of a Nigerian defender just outside the box. Following a quick review, the referee pointed to the spot. Wangaya stepped up in the 6th minute and coolly dispatched the penalty, sending the Nigerian goalkeeper the wrong way for his first goal of the tournament.

However, Nigeria responded swiftly. A slick passing move orchestrated by Simon Cletus set up forward Nathaniel Arierhi, who beat Kenyan goalkeeper Wyclifford Oduor in the 13th minute to level the score. Arierhi remained a constant threat, nearly doubling his tally with a header in the 17th minute, only for Oduor to produce a superb save.

Kenya kept pushing. Aldrine Kibet forced Nigerian keeper Ebenezer Harcourt into a smart stop, while Clinton Degol came close to putting Nigeria ahead in the 24th minute, curling an effort just wide as the end-to-end nature of the game continued.

By the 25th minute, both sides had registered six shots apiece in a high-tempo, physical contest. Kenyan midfielders Irad Ambugo and Ezekiel Omuri were both booked before the break, underscoring the intensity of the match. The teams went into halftime tied at 1-1 - Nigeria needing only a draw to advance, Kenya playing for pride.

The second half maintained the intensity. Nigeria nearly took the lead in the 50th minute through Isarel Isaac Ayuma, whose shot flew over the bar. Kenya responded with neat interplay between Wangaya and Kibet, while Oduor continued to impress, pulling off a critical save in the 55th minute to keep the scores level.

Kenya nearly found the net in the 66th minute when left-back Manzur Suleiman Okwaro surged forward and fired a shot that deflected for a corner. Just two minutes later, they got their reward. Substitute William Mwangi, introduced moments earlier, rose to meet a well-delivered free kick from Humphrey Obino, heading home to restore Kenya’s lead at 2-1.

Kevin Wangaya named Man of the Match 🆚 Nigeria 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 #RisingStars pic.twitter.com/fREa4uXLkJ

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) May 7, 2025

But Nigeria responded quickly once again. In the 71st minute, striker Lawrence Ouma committed a foul inside the box, gifting Nigeria a penalty. Captain Bameyi converted confidently to bring the score back to 2-2.

The final 20 minutes saw both teams push for a winner, with end-to-end action and chances at either end, but the deadlock held until the final whistle.

Nigeria advanced to the quarter-finals as Group B runners-up with five points, behind Morocco, who topped the group with seven after beating Tunisia 1-0.

Kenya exited the tournament without a win but left with heads held high, having scored first in all three matches and pushed elite African youth teams to the limit.