The Kenya U20 national team, popularly known as the Rising Stars, is in camp preparing for the upcoming TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be hosted in Egypt from April 27, 2025. Kenya has been drawn in Group C alongside continental powerhouses Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone.
Tough Group Draw for the Rising Stars
The Rising Stars face a challenging path in the group stage, beginning their campaign against Sierra Leone on May 1, 2025. They will then take on Zambia before wrapping up their group matches with a tough encounter against the defending champions, Senegal.
Path to Qualification
Kenya booked their ticket to the continental showpiece after finishing second in the CECAFA qualifiers held in October 2024. The Rising Stars showcased a strong performance but narrowly missed out on the CECAFA title, which was clinched by Tanzania.
Squad and Training Camp
On March 28, Kenya U20 head coach Salim Babu unveiled a 35-man provisional squad in preparation for the tournament. Most of the locally-based players have already reported to camp and are actively training, while foreign-based players are expected to arrive tomorrow to join the squad.
With the AFCON tournament fast approaching, the Rising Stars are intensifying their training sessions, focusing on tactics, fitness, and team cohesion. The team will be looking to make a strong statement on the continental stage as they battle for a place in the knockout rounds.
Kenyan football fans eagerly anticipate the team’s performance and will be rallying behind the Rising Stars as they seek to shine on the big stage.
