Lang’ata, Nairobi – Kenya’s U-20 national team, the Rising Stars, continued their preparations for the upcoming AFCON U-20 tournament in Egypt with a spirited 1-1 draw against FKF Premier League side Police FC in a friendly match played at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Under the sweltering Lang’ata heat, the highly-anticipated return of teenage sensation Aldrine Kibet stole the spotlight. Having just jetted into the country a day earlier, Kibet was introduced in the first half as a substitute and needed little time to make his mark—slotting home Kenya’s only goal of the game in emphatic fashion.
Kibet’s goal sent his teammates and the technical staff into celebration as the youngster reminded everyone of his goal-scoring prowess, which has earned him a growing reputation as one of the brightest talents in Kenyan football.
Police FC, however, responded in the second half through midfielder Duncan Otieno, who rose highest to head in an equalizer from a corner kick, ensuring the two sides shared the spoils at full time.
Kibet’s presence in the Rising Stars squad brings hope and excitement. The 18-year-old forward first made headlines in August 2023, when he led St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale to their record sixth national title at the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) games in Kakamega. He netted a brace in the final against Dagoretti Boys, sealing a 2-0 win, and was later crowned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring a staggering 25 goals and providing numerous assists during the competition.
His meteoric rise continued during the CECAFA Under-18 Championship, where he bagged the Golden Boot with three goals, helping Kenya secure a silver medal. These achievements paved the way for a football scholarship to Spain, where he joined the Nastic Academy in Barcelona to further develop his talent.
Kibet also featured prominently during the U20 AFCON qualifiers in Tanzania, scoring three goals and assisting once, playing a pivotal role in Kenya’s historic run to the final and eventual qualification for the continental showpiece in Egypt.
With the AFCON U-20 tournament fast approaching, Kenya’s technical team will be buoyed by Kibet’s sharpness and energy. The Rising Stars are expected to play more friendly matches in the coming weeks as they fine-tune their squad ahead of their journey to North Africa.
