The Ministry of Sports hosted the Kenya U20 national football team, Rising Stars, for a celebratory breakfast at Talanta Hela Plaza on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
This event honored the team’s exceptional performance in the U20 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers, where they emerged as runners-up and earned a place in the prestigious U20 AFCON Championship, marking a significant achievement as they become the first junior team to qualify for the tournament.
This triumph was built on the solid foundation laid by Football Kenya Federation (FKF). FKF Youth Committee Chairman Chris Amimo highlighted the importance of the structures in place, saying, “While you see the achievement now, the process began long ago.”
Addressing Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen, he added, “We can ensure this kind of continuity if we engage the Kenya Academy of Sports and schools more effectively. Together, we can create a talent conveyor that competes with the best in the world.”
Many of the players in the current U20 squad were also part of the U18 team that clinched a silver medal at the 2023 CECAFA U18 Boys Championship, demonstrating the consistent development of talent within FKF’s youth setup.
This qualification is a major milestone for the country’s youth football development, giving Rising Stars the opportunity to compete on a continental stage and showcase their talent against Africa’s best.
