National U20 team right back Baron Ochieng has boldly backed Kenya to clinch the Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) title, despite being drawn against heavyweights in what will be the first appearance in the tournament. The team, that is commonly known as Rising Stars, will be up against; defending champions Senegal, Zambia and Sierra Leone in Group C. The tournament was initially set to be held in Ivory Coast between 26 April to 18 May, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be forced to look for an alternative after Abidjan withdrew as the host, on Wednesday. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8807979##While it appears that bringing the title to Nairobi may turn out to be a tall order for Stars, Ochieng bears different hope, as he believes they have what it takes to clinch it. The defender attributed his title confidence to the string of positive results the junior team has been having and the chemistry between the players, who a good number of them graduated from the U18 team.The team has been camping in Thika in the past week and is expected to be boosted by the arrival of skipper Amos Wanjala and Aldrine Kibet, who both play their football in Spain. “We have been performing well as a team. We have played together for sometime which means we have gelled well. We will not going to the AFCON to participate, nor are we going for a trip. We are going for the title,” said the Sofapaka defender in an interview with FKF media. REPORTS: Ivory Coast withdraws as AFCON U20 hostOchieng, who has in the past landed a call up to the senior national team, says they are not afraid to face any opponent in the showpiece.”I feel we are at our prime as a team. We are not going there as underdogs, but to fight. Our aim is to play all the way to the final,” he added. The former Kibera Black Stars player, in the meantime, downplayed a suggestion indicating that pressure and stage fright could affect their performance. 6 key areas new FKF office scored big in Harambee Stars clash against Gabon”As a player, you have to handle the pressure. You can not play football when you’re relaxed, as there will be always some pressure. I know my teammates are fit,” he said.Kenya qualified for the tournament after finishing second in the CECAFA qualifiers, held in October last year in Tanzania.
