U-20 AFCON: FKF boss Mohammed promises more from Kenya Rising Stars

Photo Credit - FKF Media.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has promised to stick with the Kenya national U20 team despite their early exit from the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo on Wednesday.

The Rising Stars concluded their Group B fixtures with a 2-2 draw against Nigeria. The result, coupled with Morocco’s 3-1 win over Tunisia in another Group B contest, means the Flying Eagles finished second in the group with five points, while Kenya exited the tournament with just one point from three matches.

Kevin Injehu gave the East Africans a dream start when he calmly slotted home a sixth-minute penalty but Nigeria responded swiftly, and Kparobo Arierhi restored parity in the 13th minute.

Rising Stars stunned the Nigerians again midway through the second half when substitute William Gitama finished off a well-worked set-piece in the 68th minute to make it 2-1, but captain Daniel Bameyi converted a penalty after Rickson Mendos was fouled in the area by Lawrence Ouma, to put Nigeria on level terms.

“Well done to the Rising Stars for giving it your all in the AFCON tournament. This is just the beginning. Let this experience fuel the drive to qualify for more tournaments and to one day compete at the very top,” said Mohammed.

Rising Stars had kicked off their campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Morocco before losing 3-1 against Tunisia in their second group fixture.

Kenya’s exit was confirmed, having earned just one point from the three games – despite scoring in all three matches. They bowed out with an impressive five goals.