Rising Stars players during a past warm Up session [file]
Kenya’s Rising Stars aim to revive their CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hopes when they face Tunisia on Sunday, May 4, in Cairo at 6 p.m. East African Time.
Both teams are under pressure after losing their opening Group B matches. Kenya fell 3-2 to Morocco despite an early lead from Lawrence Ouma in the 16th minute, while Tunisia were beaten 1-0 by Nigeria.
Rising Stars coach Paul Ochieng expressed confidence that his team would turn things around.
“We made mistakes against Morocco, but the boys have regrouped and are ready to fight for a win,” said Ochieng.
Kenya’s record at the finals remains mixed. Since debuting in 1979, their tournament matches have always produced a winner, with the team scoring four and conceding seven in their last three games.
In the Morocco match, Kenya had 38.4 per cent possession, registering seven shots on target, led by Hassan Beja with three. Goalkeeper Bernard Jairo made six saves from nine shots faced.
Tunisia come into the clash with their own challenges. They are winless in four finals matches, with three straight defeats and a goal drought stretching 271 minutes. Their last goal was in the 2023 quarter-finals, a 3-3 draw with Congo.
Despite recent struggles, Tunisia have historically bounced back in their second group matches. In 2021, they defeated Namibia 2-0 after an opening draw, and in 2023, they followed a loss to Gambia with a goalless draw against Benin.
Ochieng warned against underestimating Tunisia.
“Their stats show a team that finds rhythm after the first game. We must stay sharp and disciplined,” he noted.
Tunisia’s coach Karim Ben Hassan noted his team’s determination to avoid another early exit. “We know we have underperformed in recent tournaments, but the group is motivated to break that cycle,” said Hassan.
A win for either side would be pivotal, boosting their hopes of advancing from Group B
Washington Onyango
| May 04, 2025