- The Kenya U20 is among 13 teams taking part in the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament, where they will be making their debut.
- The Rising Stars have been placed in Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
- The head coach of the team commonly known as Rising Stars is Salim Babu.
Football fans in the country are eagerly awaiting to witness the Kenya U20 men’s football team, popularly known as Rising Stars, make their debut in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament being held in Egypt from 27 April to 18 May 2025.
Rising Stars, who have been pooled in one of the toughest groups in this year’s edition, will start their campaign on Thursday when they face North African powerhouse Morocco.
Although Rising Stars are one of the underdogs in the tournament, the whole country is hopeful that they can perform well in their maiden AFCON U20 appearance. Here is a brief profile of the team.
Who are the Rising Stars?
Rising Stars is the nickname of the Kenya U-20 national men’s football team. The team usually represents Kenya in international football competitions involving players younger than 20 years old.
Some of the tournaments that Rising Stars are eligible to take part in include the CECAFA U20 Championship, AFCON U20 and FIFA U20 World Cup.
The Rising Stars are one of the teams that are featuring in the ongoing 2025 AFCON U20 tournament in Egypt where they are fighting for a ticket to represent Africa in the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup.
Rising Stars journey to the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament
The Rising Stars booked a ticket to the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament after finishing second in the CECAFA U20 Championship that was staged in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in October 2024. The region was given two tickets with the other one going to Tanzania who won the title.
The team defeated Burundi 4-0 in the semifinal of the 2024 CECAFA U20 Championship which was enough to guarantee them a spot in the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament.
Nevertheless, they went on to suffer a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in the final of the CECAFA Championship.
The Rising Stars scored more than 10 goals in that memorable tournament that saw several players sparkle.
Who is the coach of the Kenya U20?
The current coach of the Kenya U20 men’s football team is Salim Babu. Babu is the first coach in the history of Kenyan football to guide the Rising Stars to the AFCON U20 qualification.
He was in charge of the team in the 2024 CECAFA U20 Championships where his tactical approach ensured Kenya qualified for the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament.
Key players to watch out for in the Rising Stars team at the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament
The Rising Stars camp has a lot of gifted players with the majority of them playing in the domestic leagues.
Some of the players that football players should look out for in the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament are Spanish-based Aldrine Kibet and Amos Wanjala, Ezekiel Omuri and Manzur Okwaro.
Aldrine Kibet
The talented forward is one of the most exciting players in the Rising Stars squad. Kibet, who guided St. Anthony’s Kitale Boys Secondary School to the national football title in 2023, is a clinical finisher.
He has scored many goals for the Kenyan youth sides, with some of those coming the 2024 CECAFA U20 Championships.
Kibet, who can operate anywhere in the attack, plays for Spain’s Nastic Sports Academy at the moment.
Ezekiel Omuri
The Shabana FC forward is another Rising Stars player who is expected to light up the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament. Omuri is technically gifted and a clinical finisher forward.
Amos Wanjala
Wanjala is a hard-working and calm defender. The Spain-based player is also a leader, one of the qualities that made him receive his first Harambee Stars call-up in 2024.
The highly rated Wanjala, who plays for Spanish outfit Torrelano, made his U23 debut during the COSAFA Cup in July 2024 and will be hoping to lead the U20 team to the semifinals as captain.
He was part of the senior Harambee Stars squad in AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Zimbabwe ad=nd Namibia but never featured.
Manzur Okwaro
Okwaro is one of the Rising Stars players that have a bright future. The KCB FC youngster, who can play either as a central defender or in the left back position will be instrumental for Kenya in the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament.
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Rising Stars fixtures and schedule
The Rising Stars have been placed in Group B alongside heavyweights Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
The youngsters will start their campaign on Thursday, May 1 against Morocco before squaring it out with Tunisia and Nigeria on Sunday, May 4 and Wednesday, May 7 respectively.
Should the Rising Stars finish inside the top two positions in Group B or as one of two best third-placed teams, they will qualify for the quarterfinals and hopefully go all the way.
Match Day 1: Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Rising Stars vs Morocco
- Starting time: 9 pm East African Time (EAT)
- Venue: 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt
Match day 2: Sunday, May 4, 2025
- Tunisia vs Kenya
- Starting time: 6 pm EAT
- Venue: 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt
Match day 3: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
- Kenya vs Nigeria
- Starting time: 6 pm EAT
- Venue: 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt
What is at stake for the Rising Stars?
For the Kenya U-20 men’s football team, the participation in the ongoing AFCON U20 tournament carries huge stakes such as winning the prestigious trophy and the qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup for the first time.
Kenya will do everything possible to reach the semifinal of the 2025 AFCON U20 tournament and become one of the four teams that will represent Africa in the upcoming global showpiece that will be held between September 27 and October 19 in Chile.
Previous AFCON U20 winners
Nigeria (7 titles)
Ghana (4 titles)
Egypt (3 titles)
Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Zambia, and Senegal have each won once.
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