Kenya Hold Nigeria in Four-Goal Thriller to Bow Out of U20 AFCON

Cairo, Egypt — Kenya’s U20 national team exited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on a spirited note, earning a 2-2 draw against tournament hopefuls Nigeria in a lively Group B finale at the June 30 Stadium on Wednesday evening.

With qualification already out of reach, coach Salim Babu rang the changes, dropping key starters Amos Wanjala, Andres Omondi, and Baron Ochieng in an effort to address defensive frailties that had dogged Kenya’s campaign. Into the starting XI came Jackson Imbiakha, Humphrey Obino, and Irad Mshindi and the decision seemed to pay early dividends.

Kenya struck first inside six minutes. A VAR review ruled that Nigerian defender Emmanuel Chukwu had handled inside the box after a fierce strike from Lawrence Okoth. Kelvin Wanganya calmly dispatched the penalty, giving the Rising Stars a dream start.

But Nigeria, desperate to secure a knockout place, responded quickly. In the 13th minute, Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi latched onto a precise through ball from Simon Karshe Cletus and coolly slotted home to level the scores.

Kenya should have regained the lead on 16 minutes when Dalphine Omuri’s surging run ended with a cut-back to Okoth, whose lay-off found Wanganya — but the captain’s effort drifted narrowly wide.

The remainder of the half saw both sides exchange attacks, though neither could find the breakthrough before the interval.

Salim Babu made changes at the restart, bringing on Andres Omondi and William Gitama Mwangi. The substitutions injected fresh energy, and Kenya’s persistence paid off in the 68th minute.

A well-worked free-kick routine saw Wanganya float in a teasing ball, with the unmarked Mwangi ghosting in at the back post to prod home and send the Kenyan supporters into celebration.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes. Nigeria earned a penalty when Lawrence Okoth clumsily brought down Sulaiman Olalekan Alabi in the area. Daniel Bameyi stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Kenyan keeper Oduor the wrong way to restore parity.

Despite Kenya’s continued pressure in the dying minutes, they couldn’t fashion a winner, with Nigeria doing enough to see out the draw and secure second place in the group with five points. Morocco topped Group B after defeating Tunisia 3-1, with the North Africans advancing alongside the Nigerians.

For Kenya, it was a valiant farewell performance a testament to their fighting spirit despite falling short of progression.

Final score: Nigeria U20 2-2 Kenya U20