Kenya Rising Stars Under-20 scouting mini camp underway

Rising Stars midfielder Kevin Wangaya (left) tackles his Tanzanian opponent during their U20 Afcon Cecafa Qualifiers Finals in Tanzania in 2024. [Cecafa Media]

Rising Stars entered day two of their scouting mini-camp in Nairobi today as part of their preparations for the upcoming Afcon U20 tournament, scheduled for April 26-May 18, 2025, in Ivory Coast.

This initial phase of this camp focuses on identifying talents predominantly from Nairobi and its environs as the technical bench seeks to strengthen the squad ahead of the continental showpiece.

The scouting exercise, spearheaded by head coach Salim Babu, is expected to provide an opportunity for young players to showcase their potential and stake a claim for selection into the final squad.

With a competitive Afcon U20 tournament ahead, the camp serves as a crucial step in ensuring the Babu-led technical bench assembles a formidable team.

A second scouting mini-camp is scheduled to run on March 3-5 continuing the talent identification process across different regions.

Kenya has been placed in Group C alongside defending champions Senegal, Zambia and Sierra Leone.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals together with the two best third-placed teams. The tournament will then proceed in a knockout format, culminating in the final on May 18. Additionally, the four semi-finalists will book their place at the Fifa U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.