)
Rising Stars battled Ghana in a friendly match before their U-20 AFCON debut and assistant coach Godfrey Oduor explains why the match could be a game changer.
Rising Stars assistant coach Godfrey Oduor believes the team's performance against Ghana reflected Kenya's preparedness to rub shoulders with the best in the continent.
The Rising Stars twice come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against their West African opponents and Oduor is optimistic that Kenya has what it takes to give their opponents a run for their money.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News
Kenya will debut in the biennial competition and face Morocco in their opening group match on May 1, before settling scores with Tunisia and wrapping their pool assignment with a date against record champions Nigeria.
)
14:00 - 28.04.2025
Top 7 Most Expensive Trophies in the World
From the FIFA World Cup to the FA Cup and prestigious Ballon d'Or discover the most expensive trophies in the world.
“The friendly against Ghana gave us a clear picture of how the team is prepared, and gave us the confidence that we have the quality to perform even better during the tournament,” Oduor told Flashscore.
Despite not playing any other match ahead of the opener, Oduor maintained that the technical bench is satisfied with the team's performance and preparation.
)
12:58 - 28.04.2025
Rafael Benitez: Former Liverpool and Real Madrid Manager Rejects Offer to Coach African Giants
Veteran Spanish coach Rafael Benitez, who has had stints with Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Napoli and Inter Milan, has reportedly turned down an African football giant.
"Apart from Ghana, we had planned other friendly matches, but because of unforeseen challenges, we couldn’t play an extra match or two. But as the technical bench we are satisfied with that one friendly against Ghana, it gave us a clear picture of the kind of squad we have, and where the team is, the performance gave us the chance to plan before we face Morocco.”
Oduor is worried though that some players picked up knocks against Ghana and will be assessed ahead of the Morocco match.
“We have a few players, who have knocks, remember the intensity of training has been huge, even from the Ghana game we picked a few knocks, our training intensity is on the higher side.
"There are other players struggling with muscle pulls, but it is something that will be sorted out by our medical department, and we are confident before the opener that all the players will be fit and available. We are just working on teamwork, to make sure we achieve our target as a team.”
The tournament will follow a three-group format. Group A contains five teams, while Groups B and C feature four teams each. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals, with the tournament concluding on May 18th, 2025.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)