Salim Babu Reveals Benni McCarthy Motivation Ahead of U-20 AFCON

Kenya U-20 coach Salim Babu has opened up on why it was important for the Rising Stars to train in the presence of Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy.

McCarthy, who took charge of Harambee Stars on March 3, was ever present at Rising Stars training sessions, where he has been sharing light moments and giving his insights as a coach.

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Babu, who is keen to write history and curve his own niche in coaching, maintained that having McCarthy attend training sessions was refreshing for his charges.

"It has been a really refreshing feeling for the team; both coaches and players. Just him coming to watch the boys train and coming for our friendly matches has really motivated us because if a national team coach can be that close to a Youth Team, then it shows that there is so much promise for them," Babu told Telecomasia.

Babu added that the players look up to McCarthy considering his rich cv as a player and as a coach.

The South African won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004 and was Erik Ten Hag's assistant coach at Manchester United prior to his appointment to lead Kenya men's national team.

"He comes in, speaks to them, jokes with them and being such a high calibre coach and former player, it gives us a lot of confidence moving forward," Babu added.

Kenya qualified for the biennial championship after finishing second at the East and Central Africa (CECAFA) regional qualifiers, losing in the final to hosts Tanzania.

Kenya enters the tournament as underdogs, but with a confident squad and nothing to lose, they will be eager to make their mark on the continental stage.

Kenya has been drawn into Group B, alongside record seven-time champions Nigeria, former champions Tunisia as well as Morocco. The Rising Stars will have tough encounters across all their group stages and will need to dig deep against their more fancied opponents.