Kenya U20 will step onto the pitch today not to chase qualification, but to salvage pride. Their last Group B fixture in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations against Nigeria has turned into a dead-rubber after two painful losses that sealed an early exit from the competition.
It’s not how the Kenya U20 side imagined their AFCON journey ending, but the reality is brutal. Two matches, two defeats, and too many defensive errors mean the Rising Stars are out — regardless of today’s result.
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Kenya U20 Crumble Despite Promising Starts
In both of their opening group matches, Kenya U20 started well, taking the lead early. Against Morocco on 1 May, Lawrence Ouma and Hassan Beja found the back of the net in an encouraging but chaotic first half. Unfortunately, their efforts were undone by poor defending, and the team eventually lost 3-2.
Three days later against Tunisia, Ouma was on the scoresheet again in the 38th minute, giving Kenya hope. But just like in their opener, they couldn’t hold on. Tunisia equalized in first-half stoppage time and added two more goals in the final 20 minutes to register a 3-1 win, crushing Kenya’s qualification hopes.
Those two losses left Kenya U20 bottom of Group B with zero points and no chance of advancing — not even as one of the best third-placed teams, thanks to Tunisia’s head-to-head advantage and Group A’s standings.
Defensive Woes Haunt the Rising Stars
One consistent issue for Kenya U20 throughout the tournament has been their defense. Despite showing attacking intent and scoring in both matches, lapses at the back have cost them dearly.
Assistant coach Anthony Akhulia addressed the issue ahead of their clash with Nigeria, refusing to single out individuals.
“It’s not right to single out players. It’s a team problem. It’s something we need to work on before we face our next opponent. It is a concern for me and our technical bench,” he said.
Goalkeeping has also been a problem. In their second match, first-choice goalkeeper Bernard Jairo was absent due to injury. His replacement, Wyclifford Oduor, had a rough outing, and coach Salim Babu is hopeful Jairo will return between the sticks for today’s encounter.
Kenya U20 to Face Nigeria in Final Group Game
Today’s game against Nigeria kicks off at 6 PM (EAT) and will be broadcast live on the CAF TV YouTube channel. For Kenya U20, the task is clear — give their fans something to cheer about and end their tournament with dignity.
Though the stakes are technically low, this is not a match to be taken lightly. Nigeria remain one of the stronger teams in the group and will likely want to sharpen their performance ahead of the knockout stage. For Kenya U20, it’s a final chance to prove they belong on the continental stage.
Babu may make a few changes to the starting XI. Left-back Telena Ochieng, who missed the first two matches, could finally feature. There’s also pressure on the midfield and backline to reduce the individual errors that have plagued them so far.
Lessons and Looking Forward
While the tournament didn’t go as planned, it still offered valuable lessons for Kenya U20. Playing against top-quality opposition like Morocco and Tunisia exposed the gaps in organization and match discipline, especially in the final third and under pressure.
Still, the Rising Stars showed moments of promise. Ouma’s two goals highlighted attacking potential. Beja and Beja’s combination in the midfield looked dangerous when they were allowed time on the ball. These positives, although limited, can be built upon for future youth competitions and World Cup qualifiers.
What the Kenya U20 team needs moving forward is better preparation, more game-time against international opposition, and improvements in defensive coordination. As the coaching staff has noted, these are not individual problems — they are structural issues that need fixing from the grassroots level up.
Kenya’s Exit a Wake-Up Call
Exiting the U20 Africa Cup of Nations without a single point is a blow to the ambitions of Kenyan football. It also raises wider questions about development pathways for young players and the support systems in place.
Ambassador Outa, in a separate discussion, recently pointed out how Egypt has outpaced Kenya in sports infrastructure. If Kenya wants to compete seriously on the continental stage, investment in academies, training facilities, and youth competitions must follow.
For now, all eyes turn to today’s final group game. For fans back home, a spirited performance — even in a lost cause — would go a long way in restoring belief in the potential of this young team.
