Ouahbi backs Kenya's Rising Stars to go far at U20 AFCON

Photo Credit - Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Morocco U20 coach Mohammed Ouahbi has praised Kenya despite his side securing a 3-2 win in their opening fixture of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Thursday.

During the Group B fixture at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, the North Africans were forced to come from behind twice, before securing the win in a pulsating contest that swung from end to end.

Kenya scored first in the 16th minute when Lawrence Ouma rose highest to head home Kevin Injehu’s pinpoint free-kick. Morocco levelled matters when a scramble in the box enabled Yassir Zabiri to make it 1-1 at the half-time break.

Zabiri doubled his tally with a sharp header from close range to give Morocco the lead before Hassan Beja rifled in a shot from the centre of the box following clever link-up play with Aldrine Kibet, to make it 2-2.

However, Morocco won the contest in the 78th minute when Reda Laalaoui latched onto a clever pass from Saad El Haddad and slotted past the keeper with composure to make it 3-2. There was late drama when Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, but Othmane Maamma’s effort was saved by Kenyan keeper Bernard Jairo.

“I said it to you yesterday, before the game, Kenya are a very good team. They have a lot of good players, a lot of personality, they will try to play, they will try to find the free man in midfield, they will create chances, and that is what they proved against us,” Ouahbi told Pan-Africa Football after game.

“What I thought about Kenya is what I saw in the game, but I think we deserved the victory. We had a lot of chances in the game. I hope Kenya win the next game, they deserve to go far in this competition. They were good, and they can be a huge threat to any opponent.”

Kenya will return to action against Tunisia, who suffered a 1-0 defeat against Nigeria, at 30 June Stadium on Sunday.