CAIRO — Kenya’s long-awaited debut at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations began with heartbreak on Thursday night, as the Rising Stars fell 3-2 to Morocco in a tense Group B opener at the 30 June Stadium.
The match promised hope for the young Kenyan side when striker Lawrence Okoth struck first in the 16th minute. A well-placed free kick by Kevin Wangaya found Okoth lurking in the box, and he guided the ball past the Moroccan keeper with ease.
Kenya kept the pressure high. Just five minutes later, Wangaya nearly doubled the lead with a fierce free kick that curled just wide.
But Morocco was patient. Just before the break, a lapse in Kenya’s defence allowed Mohammed Zabiri to pounce on a loose ball after goalkeeper Benard Oyure failed to clear his lines. The equaliser was deserved — and a warning sign.
After the interval, the North Africans turned the screw.
Zabiri struck again in the 54th minute, converting a delicate chip from Othmane Maamma, who proved to be a thorn in Kenya’s side all evening. Maamma later earned the man-of-the-match accolade.
The Rising Stars responded in the 71st minute. A clever through-ball from Aldrine Kibet set up Beja Kitsao of AFC Leopards, who made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball home to make it 2-2.
But Morocco wasn’t done. With 12 minutes left, Reda Laalaoui restored their lead after a well-worked move exposed Kenya’s backline.
There could have been more damage, but Oyure redeemed himself late on, diving low to save a Maamma penalty in stoppage time.
Kenya’s assistant coach, Anthony Akhulia, cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle.
“We had our chances,” Akhulia said. “But we didn’t take them, and then we conceded soft goals. We’ll fix that. The boys will bounce back.”
Akhulia, who also manages Bidco United in the Kenyan Premier League, emphasised that the team remains focused on the next two group matches.
In Thursday’s other Group B encounter, seven-time champions Nigeria edged Tunisia 1-0 to top the standings early.
Kenya now face Tunisia on Sunday before a daunting fixture against Nigeria on 7 May. Only the top two teams in each of the three groups progress to the quarter-finals.
A place in the semi-finals would also secure a ticket to the U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year — a goal still within reach, but now hanging in the balance.
