Coach Akhulia laments missed chances as Rising Stars fall to Morocco in U20 AFCON opener

Coach Anthony Akhulia gives instructions to Captain Amos Wanjala (C) and Biron Ochineg during a training session./HANDOUT

Rising Stars assistant coach Anthony Akhulia believes his side had the upper hand in their opening U20 Africa Cup of Nations match against Morocco, but defensive lapses and missed chances cost them dearly in a 3-2 defeat on Thursday, March 2, 2025.

Kenya took an early lead at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium through a powerful 16th-minute header by Lawrence Ouma, setting the tone for what became an intense, end-to-end encounter. However, Morocco levelled just before halftime through Yassir Zabiri, who later bagged a brace with a 55th-minute strike.

Kenya responded through Hassan Beja, who equalised in the 71st minute, but their hopes were dashed when Reda Laalaoui netted the winner for Morocco seven minutes later.

A late penalty save by goalkeeper Bernard Jairo kept the deficit at one.

“We played well and created many chances, but our defence switched off at crucial moments,” said Akhulia.

“We conceded avoidable goals, and if we had been more clinical in front of goal, we’d have won.”

The match sparked debate among Kenyan fans, many of whom criticised South African referee Akhona Makalima for questionable decisions.

VAR was used to award Morocco’s first goal after an initial foul on Kenyan captain Amos Wanjala had been called.

Another Moroccan goal stood despite a suspected foul in the build-up, which was not reviewed on the monitor.

Still, Akhulia declined to blame officiating. “I won’t comment on the referee. We had our chances and didn’t take them. Morocco took theirs,” he said.

Morocco’s head coach Zakaria Aboub praised Kenya’s performance. “They’re a good team with strong personalities. We had more shots, but they pushed us hard,” he said.

Kenya now sit third in Group B. After Nigeria edged Tunisia 1-0, the Rising Stars must win their next match against Tunisia on Sunday, May 4, at 6:00 p.m., and aim for at least four points from their remaining two fixtures—including a crucial final game against Nigeria on May 7—to keep their quarter-final hopes alive