Salim Babu’s Rising Stars have been pooled into group C of the upcoming 2025 U-20 AFCON set to take place in Ivory Coast this April.
The Kenya National U20 men’s team, Rising Stars, have landed a tricky group Group C of the upcoming 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Côte d’Ivoire in April this year.
Rising Starlets, who had been seeded in pot 2 during the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on February 13, 2025, will be facing Senegal and Zambia in the group, alongside Sierra Leone, who are also debutants at the competition.
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Six players that could soon break into the Harambee Stars squad following stellar performances a CECAFA U-20 AFCON qualifiers in Tanzania
The Rising Stars earned their spot in the AFCON-U20 finals after finishing as runners-up at the CECAFA U20 Championships. They suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in the final at the KMC Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam last October. Tanzania, as regional champions, also secured a place in the finals.
Head coach Salim Babu has emphasized the importance of thorough preparations ahead of the competition. Speaking to the media in January, he expressed gratitude for the support from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
“We are determined to have good preparations before the tournament, and we have had a meeting with the top FKF hierarchy, who have agreed to support us fully. For this, we are grateful,” Babu stated.
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Kenyan U-20 midfielder Kevin Wangaya, who currently plies his trade in Albania, has revealed the side he is eyeing a move to heroics with Rising Stars.
With Kenya set to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August 2025, Babu believes that many players from the U20 squad have the potential to be called up to the senior Harambee Stars team.
“This team is the future of Kenya. We don’t just have one or two players capable of making it to Harambee Stars; we have a good number. However, they must prove themselves through hard work and discipline,” Babu said.
“They must not think they can just walk into the senior team because they are in the U20 squad.”
GROUPS
Group A: Côte d’Ivoire, UNIFACC 2, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania
Group B: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco
Group C: Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone
