Kenya will take on Nigeria in a must-win final AFCON U20 group stage match on Wednesday and here is everything you need to know about the match.
Kenya have their backs against the wall as they take on Nigeria in their final group stage game at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Wednesday.
Rising Stars have lost two games on the bounce which leave them on the brink of elimination at the group stage but there is little hope of a place in the quarter-final if they beat Nigeria and results elsewhere go in their favour.
Salim Babu’s team lost 3-2 to Morocco last Thursday before a 3-1 defeat to Tunisia on Sunday and in both games, there have been positives and negatives.
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The positives are that they are scoring goals, having netted first in both games, but they cannot hold onto leads and are making basic errors, especially in defence that have proved costly.
Kenya U20 coach Anthony Akhulia has weighed in on what went wrong for his team during their match against Tunisia when they suffered a 3-1 defeat on Sunday.
Nigeria vs Kenya Preview
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Hassan Beja (C) during a recent training session with the Rising Stars. Image || FILE
They therefore need to cut out those mistakes against the West Africans if they want to record their first win at the tournament as they take on a Nigerian team that is yet to taste defeat, having won 1-0 against Tunisia before a goalless draw with Morocco to leave them joint top in Group B on four points.
Nigeria will be looking for top spot in the group and will feel Kenya are an opponent they can beat hence the need for Babu’s team to improve.
The top two teams from each of the three groups will proceed to the quarter-final, alongside the two third-best ranked sides, and here is where Kenya hope to be.
At the moment, Tunisia and South Africa, both on three points from two games, are the two third-best ranked teams and can eliminate Kenya, if they avoid defeat in their final group stage games even, if Rising Stars beat Nigeria.
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The Kenyan striker looks to have just over two weeks left before he starts looking for a new club as his current team is reportedly not interested in retaining his services.
Nigeria vs Kenya Team News
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Rising Stars player Lawrence Okoth celebrates scoring against Morocco in their AFCON opener. (Photo Courtesy).
Coach Babu has a decision to make in goal as he has to decide whether to stick with Cliff Oduor, who did not have a good performance on Sunday, while at right-back, Baron Ochieng might be dropped after his torrid time against Tunisia.
Kenya’s attack will likely remain unchanged as Hassan Beja has been impressive on the left wing with a goal and assist so far while Aldrine Kibet will retain his No.10 role as well as two-goal hero Lawrence Okoth in the centre forward position.
Time and where to watch Nigeria vs Kenya
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Andres Odhiambo is expected to play a key role for Rising Stars at U20 AFCON Photo || FKF
The match will kick off at 6pm Kenyan time and will be live in the CAF TV on YouTube.
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Rising Stars forward Lawrence Okoth, who has been dubbed the new Michael Olunga due to their similar playing styles, has dedicated his maiden AFCON U20 goal to the Harambee Stars captain.
Nigeria vs Kenya Possible Lineups
Nigeria Possible XI: Ebenezer Harcourt, Odinaka Okoro, Adamu Maigari, Daniel Bameyi, Emmanuel Chukwu, Auwal Ibrahim, Israel Ayuma, Divine Oliseh, Bidemi Amole, Clinton Jephta, Precious Benjamin
Kenya Possible XI: Cliff Oduor, Collins Ochieng, Manzur Okwaro, Amos Wanjala, Joseph Bate, Kevin Wangaya, Andreas Odhiambo, Aldrine Kibet, Elly Olwande, Hassan Beja, Lwerence Okoth
