Okoth urges Kenya to play with pride at U-20 AFCON in Egypt

Photo Credit - Football Kenya Federation.

Former Kenya international Mike Okoth Origi has challenged Kenya national U20 team, Rising Stars, to play without apologies when they kick off their journey at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Participating at this stage of the tournament for the first time, and under the leadership of Salim Babu, Rising Stars have been drawn alongside record seven-time champions Nigeria, former winners Tunisia and Morocco.

The East African nation will begin their quest for glory with a fixture against Morocco at 30 June Stadium on Thursday.

Okoth, who represented Kenya national football team on 48 occasions between 1989 and 2004, scoring 17 goals, and is the father of Belgian international footballer, Divock Origi, has told Kenyan players to play with a lot of aggressiveness and shine at the biggest stage.

“I want to congratulate you, all the players, the technical staff and the federation for qualifying for this great U20 AFCON where future stars are made, it is your time to shine now, so play aggressively, with pride and without any apologies,” said Okoth in a video posted on his social media accounts.

“I am strongly saying this because you belong among the best U20 footballers in Africa, at this moment, I wish you all the best, and ask God to protect you in whatever you doing.”

After playing Morocco, Kenya will face Tunisia on Saturday, before wrapping up their group stage matches against Nigeria next Wednesday.