Salim Babu Bullish about Rising Stars AFCON Chances Amid Tough North Africa Opposition

Rising Stars players during one of their training sessions. Photo || FKF

Salim Babu Bullish about Rising Stars AFCON Chances Amid Tough North Africa Opposition

Evans Ousuru 08:15 - 17.04.2025

Coach Salim Babu reveals what the Rising Stars must do to go deeper in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U-20) tournament.

National U20 team head coach Salim Babu believes his charges can navigate the tough opposition in their group to go deeper in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U-20) tournament.

Rising Stars are in Group B of the tournament that will be hosted in Egypt from April 27 to May 18. 

The Amos Wanjala-captained side will settle scores with Nigeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Babu maintained that despite being drawn against continental heavyweights, Kenya can dare dream big.

"We acknowledge that we are in a highly competitive group, but we also understand that to become champions, you must be ready to face the best. Our focus is on thorough preparation to give ourselves the best chance of achieving positive results and progressing deep into the tournament," Babu told Mozzart Sports

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The Rising Stars are set to travel to Morocco for a 10 day pre-tournament training camp as part of their preparations. 

Babu believes that he has enough quality to face off any opposition, challenging the Rising Stars to don the national colours with distinction.

"This is a well-rounded and strong squad. I believe the boys have what it takes to compete at the highest level and provide great competition at the U20 AFCON. We are not going just to participate, we are going to compete and make our mark."

Rising Stars are motivated to go deeper in the competition considering that the top four teams will automatically qualify for the U-20 World Cup.

The Rising Stars will hope to emulate the Junior Starlets by becoming the second team to qualify and play at the global show.

Babu is banking on the thorough preparations in Nairobi and the Morocco camp to register good results.

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