President Ruto to host Kenya U20 team ahead of AFCON departure
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 14.04.25. | 07:08
The competition was originally scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast but was relocated to Egypt last month following a change in hosting plans.
Kenya’s U20 national football team, the Rising Stars, will be hosted by President William Ruto at State House on Tuesday, where he will officially flag them off before they depart for Morocco for their final preparations ahead of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team, coached by Salim Babu, has been in camp for over a month, gearing up for the continental tournament, which kicks off in Egypt on April 27. As part of their preparation, the team has played a number of friendly matches to fine-tune their tactics and build cohesion. This year's AFCON also serves as the qualifiers for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The Rising Stars qualified for the revamped AFCON format for the first time last year after finishing as runners-up in the CECAFA qualifiers held in Tanzania. Despite falling 2-1 to the hosts in the final, both teams secured their spots in the continental tournament. The competition was originally scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast but was relocated to Egypt last month following a change in hosting plans.
The Kenyan team is set to leave for Morocco on Wednesday for a ten-day training camp before heading to Egypt. But before their departure from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the squad will be seen off in a special ceremony at State House.
“It’s true that the team has been invited to State House by the President. He will host them for a meal, formally see them off, and present them with the national flag,” a source close to the development told Mozzart Sport. “He’s been following the team’s progress closely and sees this group as a potential core for Kenya’s AFCON 2027 squad, which the country will co-host.”
Speaking ahead of the tournament, head coach Babu emphasized that the team’s main target is to qualify for the U20 World Cup — a feat that requires a semifinal finish at AFCON.
“Our goal is to reach the World Cup, and to do that, we must make it to the semifinals,” said Babu. “I believe we have the quality and commitment to achieve that dream.”
Kenya has been drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.. The Rising Stars will open their campaign against Morocco on May 1.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Kevin Oduor, Wyclifford Oduor, Bernard Jairo
Defenders: Baron Ochieng, Humphrey Obina, Jackson Imbiakha, Joseph Bate, Manzu Okwaro, Amos Wanjala, Talena Ochieng, Collins Ochieng
Midfielders: Kevin Wangaya, Emilio Brian, Irad Mshindi, Mark Shaban, Humphrey Aroko, Aldrine Kibet, Kelly Madada
Attackers: Hassan Beja, Ezekieh Omuri, Elly Owande, William Gitama, Javan Omondi, Lawrence Ouma, Oliver Machaka
