Kenya to face holders Senegal in 2025 Afcon U-20 finals
Kenya Under-20 national team players during a training session at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- Speaking on October 22 last year, when the team was hosted for breakfast by then Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen at Talanta Plaza, Coach Babu expressed confidence in his squad’s potential, emphasizing the importance of quality preparations.
- “If we can prepare in Europe or West Africa, I mean countries that are above Kenya in football, then I think we will do something that Kenyans have never seen,” Babu stated.
Kenya’s Under-20 men’s football team has landed in a favourable group for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) U-20 finals set to take place from April 26 to May 18 in Cote d’Ivoire.
According to the draw conducted on Thursday in Cairo, the Rising Stars will compete in Group 'C' alongside defending champions Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone.
The tournament features 13 teams, with the top four securing qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, scheduled for September 27 to October 19 in Chile.
Group 'A' includes hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a second team from the Central African Football Federations’ Union (UNIFFAC). The identity of the UNIFFAC representative remains uncertain due to FIFA’s suspension of Congo.
Seven-time champions Nigeria are in Group 'B' alongside Egypt and South Africa.
Kenya, coached by Salim Babu, earned their historic qualification for the biennial African youth football tournament after finishing second in the CECAFA U-20 regional qualifiers in October 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
“The most important thing is preparations. If we prepare well, then I can assure you that everything will be fine,” said Babu, who is also the Nairobi City Stars’ coach. “In today’s football, there are no favourites, so I fear nothing. We don’t fear Senegal,” added the soft-spoken coach.
The Rising Stars remained unbeaten on their road to the final, where they lost 2-1 to Tanzania on October 20 at Kinondoni Municipal Council.
Kenya started the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania, followed by a goalless draw against Rwanda and a dominant 4-0 win over Djibouti. They later defeated Sudan and Burundi, both by a 4-0 margin, to reach the final.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Wanzala won the Golden Gloves award after keeping four clean sheets, while forwards Aldrine Kibet and Kevin Wangaya impressed with four goals each.
Speaking on October 22 last year, when the team was hosted for breakfast by then Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen at Talanta Plaza, Coach Babu expressed confidence in his squad’s potential, emphasizing the importance of quality preparations.
“If we can prepare in Europe or West Africa, I mean countries that are above Kenya in football, then I think we will do something that Kenyans have never seen,” Babu stated.