Rising Stars depart for Egypt ahead of AFCON
The team will now finalise its preparations in the Arab nation before kicking off their campaign on May 1 at 10 pm
Kenya’s under 20 national men’s football team, Rising Stars, travelled to Egypt today ahead of the upcoming Total Energies U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
This follows a change in the team’s preparation schedule, with the initial plan to hold a training camp in Morocco being shelved. The adjustment comes after the latest tournament draw placed Kenya in Group B alongside Morocco, Tunisia, and Nigeria—making a pre-tournament stay in Morocco strategically unviable.
The team will now finalise its preparations in Egypt before kicking off their campaign on May 1 at 10 pm, with a clash against Morocco at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
Their second group match is scheduled for May 4 at 7 pm, where they will take on Tunisia at the venue.
The Rising Stars will wrap up their group stage fixtures with a match against Nigeria on May 7 at 7 pm, again at the same venue.
The U20 Africa Cup of Nations will run from 27th April to 18th May 2025, with matches taking place in Cairo, Ismailia, and Suez.
Salim Babu’s charges are buoyed ahead of the tournament with the camp in high spirits after the arrival of team captain Amos Wanjala based in Spain. A 25 man squad was named last week with the likes of Aldrine Kibet, Hasan Beja, Kelly Madada, Mark Shaban and William Gitama amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Junior Starlets seemingly have a mountain to climb this coming Friday when they face off with Cameroon in the second leg of the 2025 FIFA under 17 Women’s World Cup away at Olembe.
Their 1-0 loss Sunday at Nyayo Stadium despite having a myriad chances left coach Mildred Cheche and the technical bench frustrated and now have to find a plan and fast. Tiwa Milong’s 13th minute header off a corner kick was the difference in a match Kenya dominated in the second half and fluffed about five chances in general.
Joan Ogola and Brenda Achieng were guilty of missed chances giving the Central Africans an advantage. Incidentally, despite there being an early shower which brought some cold breeze in high altitude Nairobi, it he young lasses from Cameroon had a mission to accomplish and it worked.
A confident coach Cheche believes that chances still stand and they can turn tables in the next 96 hours away.
“We have to go there and play a nice game. It is important we dominate the match and be in control. Also, we need to ensure we take our chances and not make unnecessary mistakes. I believe it is Cameroon’s game to lose so we must take advantage,” she said.
This was Junior Starlets’ first loss in seven games. And therefore a true test of resolve awaits. “We have everything to play for and my player are mentally tougher,” added Cheche.
