The national men’s football under-20 head coach Salim Babu believes the team will be a surprise package when they make their maiden appearance at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Ivory Coast.Rising Stars made history by qualifying for the tournament set to kick off from Saturday 26 April to Sunday 18 May this year.Kenyan midfielder moves to Czech Republic in a multi-million dealThe team finished runners-up at the CECAFA under-20 championships after losing 2-1 to Tanzania in the final held last October at the KMC Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam. Tanzania also qualified for the AFCON finals as regional winners.“We are determined to have good preparations before the tournament and we have had a meeting with the top Football Kenya Federation (FKF) hierarchy who have agreed to support us fully and for this we are grateful.##NAJAVA_MECA_8667411##With good preparations, we are confident we will do well in the tournament. We may be going as underdogs due to our inexperience but I can assure Kenyans we shall surprise many people with our performance,” he said.Salim revealed that the team will go to camp next week and is planning to set up base outside the country for at least a week before the championships kick-off.Gor Mahia closing in on Ugandan striker“Our major training camp will be in Nairobi but we have also incorporated an overseas training element and we are glad FKF has agreed to support us in these.”With the country hosting the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in August, Babu believes a good number of the players in the under-20 team have a good chance of being selected in the Harambee Stars squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8667383##“This team is the future of Kenya and we have not just one or two players who can play for Harambee Stars but a good number of players. Having said that, they have to prove themselves by working hard and showing discipline.“They must not think that they can just walk into the senior team because they are in the under-20 side,” he said.Kakamega Homeboyz take action after controversial officiating against Gor Mahia
