Kenya’s U-20 national team suffered a significant blow to their AFCON U-20 hopes, falling 3-1 to Tunisia in their second group stage match on Sunday in Cairo, Egypt.
The defeat — their second consecutive loss — leaves the Rising Stars with only a slim chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.
Kenya struck first in the 37th minute, when striker Lawrence Ouma finished off a precise cross from winger Hassan Beja to give his side the lead.
However, Tunisia responded just before halftime. A handball by defender Baron Ochieng gifted the North Africans a penalty, which Fares Bousnina calmly converted to level the score.
Tunisia took control in the second half, ramping up their intensity. In the 70th minute, a defensive lapse between captain Amos Wanjala and goalkeeper Wycliford Oduor allowed substitute Omar Ben Ali to slot home into an empty net.
Despite Kenya’s tactical changes and efforts to equalize, they failed to regain momentum. Tunisia sealed the win late in the game with a powerful long-range strike by Alaaeddine Debrali in the 86th minute.
Kenya had earlier lost 3-2 to Morocco in their tournament opener. With just one point from two matches, they now face a must-win scenario in their final group fixture against Nigeria on Wednesday to retain any hope of reaching the knockout stages.
