The Kenya U20 National Team, also known as the Rising Stars, continued with their preparations for the upcoming AFCON U-20 tournament in Egypt with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Ghana U20 in a friendly match played earlier today.
AFC Leopards attacking midfielder Hassan Beja Kitsao and Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) forward Lawrence Okoth were on target for Kenya, both finding the back of the net in the first half. Ghana scored first before Kenya leveled the scores in what turned out to be a pulsating opening 45 minutes. Neither side managed to grab a winning goal in the second half.
Kenya’s head coach, Salim Babu, used the friendly to fine-tune his tactics and assess the readiness of his squad ahead of the continental tournament, which kicks off this Sunday, April 27, and runs through to May 18.
This year’s edition will mark Kenya’s debut at the AFCON U-20 tournament, and the Rising Stars face a challenging task in Group C, where they have been pooled alongside African heavyweights Morocco, Tunisia, and Nigeria.
Kenya will begin its campaign against Morocco on May 1 at 10 PM EAT, before facing Tunisia on May 4 at 7 PM EAT. The final group match will see them lock horns with Nigeria on May 7, also at 7 PM EAT.
Kenyan fans are hopeful that the Rising Stars can rise to the occasion and make a mark on their first appearance at the continental stage. A spot in the semi-finals will secure for Kenya one of the four coveted African slots at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Chile.
