Kenya U-20 to train in Morocco ahead of 2025 Afcon finals
Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohamed and his Moroccan counterpart Fouzi Lekjaa pose for a photo after signing a two-year Memorandum of Understanding in Rabat, Morocco on March 8, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Kenya’s head coach, Salim Babu, remains optimistic about their chances of reaching the global competition. “We can qualify for the World Cup, provided we undergo thorough preparations,” he said.
- The other groups in the tournament include hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group “A.” The second team from the Central African Football Federation’s Union (Uniffac) is yet to be determined due to FIFA’s suspension of the Republic of Congo over third-party interference.
Kenya’s Under-20 men’s football team will set up a training camp in Morocco as part of their preparations for the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals, scheduled for April 26 to May 18 in Côte d’Ivoire.
This arrangement follows the signing of a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football – FRMF) on Saturday in Rabat, Morocco.
The agreement, which is open for renewal, was signed by FKF President Hussein Mohammed and his FRMF counterpart, Fouzi Lekjaa.
Apart from providing Kenya’s U-20 team, the Rising Stars, with a training base in Morocco, the MOU will facilitate training for Kenyan coaches, technical staff, administrators, and FKF officials starting in April. Additionally, the partnership will provide expertise in sports infrastructure development and maintenance.
The collaboration will also focus on developing policies and strategies for both federations, incorporating structured exchange programs that will benefit both nations. These include the management and hospitality of visiting delegations during competitions and club training programs.
"This partnership with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation is a big step forward for Kenyan football,” said FKF President Hussein Mohammed.
“Over the next two years, our coaches, technical staff, administrators, and officials will have access to quality training, starting as early as April. We will also benefit from expertise in sports infrastructure development and maintenance, which is key to our long-term plans. This is a valuable collaboration, and we’re keen to see its impact on the game.”
Morocco, the highest-ranked African nation in men’s football, boasts state-of-the-art football facilities, an advantage that FKF hopes to leverage in preparing for the 2025 U-20 Afcon.
Kenya has been placed in Group 'C' alongside defending champions Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. The top four nations from the tournament will qualify for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, set to take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19.
Kenya’s head coach, Salim Babu, remains optimistic about their chances of reaching the global competition. “We can qualify for the World Cup, provided we undergo thorough preparations,” he said.
The other groups in the tournament include hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group “A.” The second team from the Central African Football Federation’s Union (Uniffac) is yet to be determined due to FIFA’s suspension of the Republic of Congo over third-party interference.
Group “B” consists of Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, promising a highly competitive tournament.
With the Moroccan training camp confirmed, FKF is expected to release further details regarding Kenya’s schedule as the Rising Stars embark on their journey to make history in Côte d’Ivoire.