Kenya Rising Stars have 'nothing to fear' at AFCON U-20 - Ochieng

FKF Media

Kenya Under-20 national team captain Baron Ochieng has declared the team’s readiness to face any opponent in their debut appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Under the guidance of coach Salim Babu, the team will make their debut at the tournament, which is scheduled to run from April 27 to May 18 – a first in the country’s history.

The Rising Stars have been drawn into Group B alongside record seven-time champions Nigeria, as well as former champions Tunisia and Morocco.

“Facing Morocco is nothing to fear because before the draw changed, if we did well from the group stages, it means we could have come up against them, maybe even at the quarter-finals or even at the semis stage. We are definitely going to play Morocco and the rest of the so-called giants, so we don’t have to fear facing them or anyone at the group stage," said Ochieng.

The Sofapaka player added: “So, we are prepared for the task ahead and we are good to go. As players, we don’t have to blame the weather if results don’t go our way. Most of the players stay in Nairobi. Sometimes we go to Mombasa to play matches, and we end up winning. So we must adapt. We will definitely adapt to the weather.”

Kenya will kick off their Group B campaign against Morocco on May 1 at 30 June Stadium in Cairo. The tournament itself begins earlier, on Sunday, April 27, with two Group A fixtures.

In the opening matches, Zambia will face Sierra Leone – another debutant at this stage –followed by hosts Egypt taking on South Africa. Both games will be held at the Suez Canal Stadium.