Egypt steps in as emergency hosts for the 2025 U-20 AFCON after Côte d’Ivoire pulls out due to restrictions.
Kenya’s national under-20 football team, Rising Stars, will now kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Egypt.
This new development follows a shift in hosting duties after Côte d’Ivoire's sudden withdrawal due to government restrictions.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially handed the hosting rights for the 2025 U-20 AFCON to Egypt just weeks before the opening match.
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CAF made the announcement on Wednesday after emergency deliberations prompted by logistical uncertainties in Côte d’Ivoire.
According to inside sources, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) had been in active talks with CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba in Cairo in anticipation of such a development.
"The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) today awarded the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and Egyptian Government the rights to host the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025," a CAF statement read.
"This is subsequent to CAF having been informed by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (“FIF”) and the Government of Côte d'Ivoire that due to unforeseen circumstances, they are unable to host the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025," the statement adds.
"The Egyptian Football Association and the Egyptian Government had previously submitted a bid to host the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025," it noted.
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CAF’s swift decision allows Egypt just under four weeks to finalize preparations.
The tournament will take place from April 27 to May 18, with the opening game kicking off on a Sunday and the final concluding the event three weeks later.
Thirteen teams will take part with the top two from each group moving to the quarterfinals, alongside the two best third-placed sides.
Kenya's Rising Stars are slated to begin their journey on May 1 against Sierra Leone at the Stade de la Paix de Bouaké.
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Stars will then clash with Zambia on May 4 and wrap up the group phase against reigning champions Senegal on May 7.