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KAK
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Kenya’s Rising Stars impressed in their AFCON U20 debut but were narrowly beaten by Morocco in a thrilling Group B clash.
Kenya’s Rising Stars were edged out 3-2 by Morocco in a five-goal thriller, as they marked their debut appearance in the Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Group B opener took place at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, where both teams produced a high-intensity contest, but it was Morocco who ultimately claimed the narrow win.
The opening 10 minutes proved to be a cagey affair, as neither side showed any ambition of getting an early goal, although Kenya found themselves under pressure during the early exchanges.
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Kenya's best chance in the opening minutes came via a long-range effort from Kevin Wangaya, while Morocco had a penalty appeal turned down by the referee after a challenge inside the box.
Rising Stars were presented with an opening from a set piece in the 16th minute, and they made it count — debutant Lawrence Ouma rose highest to meet the delivery and powered a header past the goalkeeper to give Kenya the lead.
Benard Oyure came to Kenya’s rescue in the 20th minute, as the shot-stopper pulled off a fine save to keep out a curling free-kick that was destined for the top corner.
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Morocco kept up their attacking pressure and were rewarded with a goal in the 45th minute, as Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal found the back of the net.
The goal was initially ruled out for a foul, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned and the goal stood, making it 1-1 at halftime.
Kenya had another erratic start in the second stanza, giving the ball away cheaply while playing out from the back, and they were punished in the 55th minute as Mohamed Yassir Zabiri pounced to score for Morocco, putting the North Africans back in front.
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The Rising Stars opted for a change in midfield at the half-hour mark, introducing Humphrey Kegengo and Javan Ochieng in place of Elly Owande and Collins Ochieng, respectively.
The double substitution aimed to inject fresh energy and tighten control in the center of the park as Kenya looked to regain momentum against a pressing Moroccan side.
Kenya still showed moments of lapse in concentration at the back despite controlling the game, as Julien Merijn Mesbahi almost extended the lead for Morocco level 72 minutes before time with a cracking strike from the edge of the box that skimmed just over the crossbar.
But the Rising Stars responded once again, restoring their lead in the 72nd minute with a thunderous shot from Hassan Beja, who blasted the ball into the net from outside the area after being teed up by Aldrine Kibet.
It was end-to-end stuff in the closing stages of the game, but Morocco capitalized on a defensive error by the Rising Stars, with VAR once again called into action.
In the 78th minute, Reda Laalaoui slotted home what proved to be Morocco’s third goal, putting them back in control at 3-2 and denying Kenya a dream result on their AFCON U20 debut.
Morocco nearly added a fourth in the 88th minute, but Rising Stars goalkeeper Benard Oyure produced a superb penalty save after Baron Ochieng conceded a foul inside the area.
The Rising Stars now turn their focus to their next Group B clash against Tunisia on May 4.
How they lined up:
Kenya: Benard Oyure, Baron Ochieng, Manzur Okwar, Hassan Beja Kitsao, Kevin Wangaya, Aldrine Kibet, Elly Owande, Lawrence Ouma, Amos Wanjala (C), Andres Omondi, Collins Ochieng
Morocco: Yanis Benchaouch, Ismael Baouf, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Reda Laalaoui, Othmane Maamma, Mouad Dahak (C), Fouad Zahouani, Julien Merijn Mesbahi, Mohamed Yassir Zabiri, Saad El Haddad, Amine Boukamir
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