CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
Coach Babu speaks after Kenya suffer defeat in CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
The head coach of Kenya’s U-20 team, Rising Stars, Salim Babu has said they will have to improve in the other matches ahead at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
Kenya gave a good performance, but conceded late to fall 3-2 to Morocco in a Group B match played at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday night.
“We started well by taking the lead, but again fell back and did not defend well towards the end of the match against Morocco. Ofcourse Morocco are a good side, but my boys had tried to play well, but did not keep the composure,” added the coach.
Coach Babu made it clear that they must god back to the drawing board and work hard before taking on Tunisia in the second match on May 4th. “We must improve and try to get back to get a win in our second match,” added Babu.
Against Morocco, Lawrence Ouma gave the Rising Stars the lead after 16 minutes with a well timed header after a Kevin Injehu free kick. But Morocco’s Yassir Zabiri made it 1-1 just before half time. Zabiri was on target again after the break, but Hassan Beja slotted after 71 minutes to make it two for Kenya after Aldrine Kibet had chested the ball well in the box.
Seven minutes later Kenya failed to defend well and Reda Laalaoui made it 3-2 for Morocco. The North African side missed a penalty late in the game with Kenyan goalkeeper Baron Ochieng stopping Othmane Maamma’s effort.
Kenya will return to action against Tunisia on May 4th, while CECAFA’s second representatives Tanzania who lost their first Group A match 1-0 to South Africa will be in action against Sierra Leone on Saturday.
The four semi-finalists will qualify as the CAF representatives for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup to take place in Chile.
Tanzania have made a losing start at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on-going in Egypt.
Coach Charles Mkwasa’s team suffered a 1-0 Group A defeat in a match played at the Suez Canal Stadium on Wednesday.
Although Tanzania created several scoring opportunities, it was Shakeel April’s first half goal that ensured South Africa worked hard to collect maximum points.
The CECAFA reigning champions Tanzania’s trio of Bakari Msimu, Ashrafu Kibeku and Said Naushad all tested South Africa’s goalkeeper.
“The team came out and played better football especially in the second half, but failed to take the chances created in-front of goal. The South African goalkeeper made saves to keep them in the game,” said Tanzania’s coach Mkwasa after the match.
CECAFA’s second team in the competition Kenya will face Morocco in their opening Group B match on Thursday.
The four semi-finalists will qualify as the CAF representatives for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup to take place in Chile.
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