U20 AFCON: Salim Babu names final Kenya Rising Stars squad for Egypt test

Photo Credit - Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Media.

Kenya national U20 team Rising Stars head coach Salim Babu has named his final 26-man squad for the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to run from April 27 to May 18, 2025, in Egypt.

Rising Stars secured their spot through the CECAFA qualifiers and are now gearing up to compete among Africa’s elite youth sides. The tournament will feature 13 nations battling for continental supremacy and four qualification spots to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile 2025.

Last Sunday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducted the final draw for the tournament which was earlier scheduled to be held in Ivory Coast, before the West African withdrew. Kenya, who will be participating in the stage for the first time, were drawn in Group B alongside record seven-time champions Nigeria, former winners Tunisia and Morocco.

Hosts Egypt, who are the three-time champions, headlined Group A, where they were pitted against Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania while champions Senegal were drawn in Group C alongside the Central African Republic, DR Congo, and Ghana.

Rising Stars will kick off their campaign against Morocco, before facing Tunisia and wrapping up the group stage with a clash against Nigeria. The tournament will follow a three-group format. Group A contains five teams, while Groups B and C feature four teams each.

The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals, with the tournament concluding on May 18th, 2025.

Final Squad;

Goalkeepers; Kevin Oduor, Wycliford Oduor, Benard Jairo.

Defenders; Baron Ochieng, Humphrey Obino, Jackson Imbiakha, Joseph Bate, Manzur Okwaro, Amos Wanjala, Telena Ochieng, Collins Ochieng.

Midfielders; Kevin Wangaya, Emilio Brian, Irad Mshindi, Humphrey Aroko, Aldrine Kibet, Kelly Madada, Hassan Beja, Ezekiel Omuri, Elly Owande, William Gitama, Javan Omondi, Andreas Odhiambo.

Forwards; Lawrence Ouma, Oliver Machaka, Mark Shaban.