Tunisia Roar Back to Defeat Kenya 3-1 in Pivotal U-20 AFCON Clash
CAIRO, Egypt — Tunisia kept their hopes of advancing at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations alive with a hard-fought 3-1 comeback win over Kenya in a thrilling Group B clash on Sunday at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium.
In a match that featured VAR drama, lengthy first-half stoppages, and moments of individual brilliance, the Carthage Eagles turned around a first-half deficit to secure their first points of the tournament and leave Kenya on the brink of elimination.
Kenya made a bright start and deservedly took the lead in the 38th minute when striker Lawrence Ouma tapped in from close range after excellent work down the flank by Hassan Beja. The Rising Stars, who had narrowly lost 3-2 to Morocco in their opener, looked poised to claim their first victory.
However, Tunisia fought back late in the half. A VAR review awarded them a penalty after a handball by Kenyan defender Baron Ochieng. Farès Bousnina stepped up and converted confidently in the 45+16th minute, deep into the eighteen minutes of added time, caused by a string of injury stoppages.
That goal shifted the momentum, and Tunisia returned from the break the stronger side. Despite some promising Kenyan spells early in the second half, defensive lapses proved costly once again. Substitute Omar Ben Ali put Tunisia ahead in the 70th minute, capitalizing on a poor clearance to make it 2-1.
With just five minutes remaining, fellow substitute Alaeddine Derbali sealed the win with a stunning strike from the right wing that flew past Wycliford Oduor in the Kenyan goal, capping a polished second-half performance from the North Africans.
The result ended Tunisia’s four-match winless run at the U-20 finals and gave them a vital three points heading into a North African derby against Morocco in their final group match.
Meanwhile, Kenya remain bottom of Group B with zero points from two games. Their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals, and earning a coveted spot at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, now depend on a complex set of outcomes. They will need Nigeria to beat Morocco in Sunday’s late game and then defeat the Flying Eagles themselves on Wednesday.
According to tournament rules, the top two teams in each group, plus the two best third-placed finishers, advance to the quarter-finals. The four semi-finalists will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup set to take place from September 27 to October 19.
For now, Tunisia breathe new life into their campaign, while Kenya’s Rising Stars are left hoping for a miracle.
