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Baron Ochieng' gave away two penalties during the U20 AFCON, where Kenya's Rising Stars fought hard but were eliminated at the group stages.
Rising Stars Vice Captain Baron Ochieng has defended his underwhelming individual display at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held Egypt earlier this month.
Ochieng was part of the Kenya squad that was taking part in the tournament for the first time in the country’s history, started the side’s first two games against Morocco and Tunisia, before being dropped for their final game against Nigeria.
During the clash against Morocco which the side lost 3-2, Ochieng made a couple of mistakes. For the first and third goals, the Sofapaka defender lost his concentration and appealed for fouls against the side, rather than waiting for the referees’ whistle.He also gave away a penalty, which was fortunately saved by Bernard Jairo.
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Against Tunisia, he gave away a penalty again after VAR adjudged him to have handled the ball inside his own area, a game they squandered a goal advantage to lose 3-1.
This left the coaching staff no choice but to drop him for the final game.
Ochieng: We Should Have Played to The Referee’s Whistle Against Morocco
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Speaking on NTV in a recent interview, Ochieng admitted to his mistakes while explaining some crucial lessons he learnt that will help him for the rest of his career.
“What I learnt is to deal with the present situation rather than having to wait for the referee’s whistle,” said Ochieng.
Ochieng explained both mistakes against Morocco.
“The way our captain (Amos Wanjala) fell, the way he jumped, landed, and the sound produced, it scared us. It sent a signal that he was badly injured.
“That is why Wangaya (Kevin) and I lifted our hands. Even when they scored, our minds were not there, and that was sportsmanship according to us. For them, they have been taught to score first,” he stated.
Ochieng: I Learnt What Real Football is
Ochieng explained the gulf in football knowledge between their opponents and them, considering they are enrolled into academies from early ages which helps refine their talents unlike in Kenya.
“At the AFCON, that is where I knew what football really is about. Forget what we play here locally. Out there, that is where real football is. “
“If you look at how those teams, especially Morocco, play, it is clear that they have been taught football,” he added.
For the former Kibera Black Stars man, effective and efficient utilization of energy is another lesson he picked from the two losses.
“I equally learnt how to conserve energy and read moments. Those guys (Morocco and Tunisia) knew when and how to be on the backfoot, and when to attack. We conceded goals immediately after we lost some little concentration.
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“Those guys (Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria) were patient. We were leading 1-0 but they still left the space for us to play. When they attack and realize that we are defending deep, they move the ball back and build again.They do not pay under pressure.
"Even when trailing, they are waiting, knowing their moment will come and they punished you by that,” he added.
“I therefore learnt that as footballers, we need to appreciate that football is not only physical but also mental.”
Ochieng’s Rallying Call to FKF
Following their experience, Ochieng has called for all football stakeholders to come up with sustainable structures that will allow all soccer players to gain proper football education.
Ochieng believes Kenyan footballers are talented, but need better naturing, something the Morocco contingent noticed early after admitting the side had given them a hard time.
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“If we can get exposed to better training facilities and programmes custom made for us, I believe we could go far (as a football nation) because we are more energetic (and physically gifted.
“They (Morocco) even told us that we are the toughest opponent they had faced,” Ochieng concluded.
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