Kenya’s national U20 football team, the Rising Stars, suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Morocco in a dramatic opening match of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations last night in Cairo, Egypt.
The match began in nightmare fashion for Kenya, as goalkeeper Bernard Jairo mishandled a routine pickup just two minutes in, gifting Morocco’s Othmane Maamma a golden opportunity.
However, defender Manzur Okwaro came to the rescue with a brave block that deflected the shot out for a corner.
Salim Babu’s charges gradually settled and were rewarded in the 16th minute when Lawrence Ouma powered home a bullet header from a Kevin Wangaya free kick, giving Kenya a deserved lead.
Wangaya nearly doubled the advantage minutes later, narrowly missing the target with another set-piece effort from a similar position.
Just before halftime, Morocco equalised controversially through Yasir Zabiri.
The referee had initially disallowed the goal for a foul on substitute goalkeeper Amos Wanjala, but a VAR review overturned the decision, allowing the goal to stand and sending the sides into the break level at 1-1.
Kenya began the second half with intensity, but it was Morocco who struck next. In the 55th minute, Zabiri bagged his second with a clinical header after a dazzling run and cross from Maamma down the right wing. The goal came just moments after Kenya had a promising chance at the other end, with Aldrine Kibet setting up Ouma, who mishit his shot.
The Rising Stars responded in the 71st minute when substitute Javan Ochieng delivered a dangerous cross that Kibet controlled and laid off for Hassan Beja, who finished with a composed low strike to level the match at 2-2.
But Morocco regained the lead shortly after, once again under contentious circumstances.
With the Kenyan defense appealing for a foul, Reda Laalaoui pounced on the loose ball to score. Despite protests, VAR confirmed the goal, much to the dismay of the Kenyan bench.
Kenya had a golden chance to equalise in the 84th minute when Oliver Machaka found himself unmarked in the box after a Kibet header hit the post.
However, his weak shot went straight into the arms of Moroccan keeper Yanis Bechaouch.
Just minutes later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after Baron Ochieng fouled Maamma in the box.
But Jairo redeemed his earlier error with a brilliant save, diving to his left to deny the Montpellier forward from the spot.
Despite a spirited effort, the Rising Stars were unable to find a third goal, and Morocco held on for the win.
