Kenya’s Under-20 football team, faced a tough setback in their ongoing AFCON U-20 campaign, losing 3-1 to Tunisia in a match held on Sunday at Cairo’s 30th June Stadium.

It was the Rising Stars’ second loss in as many games, dimming their hopes of progressing further in the tournament.

The match kicked off with Kenya taking an early lead, thanks to a well-executed goal from striker Lawrence Ouma, who finished a cross from winger Hassan Beja in the 37th minute.

However, the lead was short-lived. Just before the break, the North African side were awarded a penalty after a handball by defender Baron Ochieng, which Fares Bousnina confidently converted.

The second half saw Tunisia come out more energetic and aggressive. Their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when a miscommunication between Kenya’s captain Amos Wanjala and goalkeeper Wycliford Oduor allowed Tunisian substitute Omar Ben Ali to tap the ball into an open net.

Despite tactical changes aimed at finding an equalizer Kenya could not find the spark needed to level the score.

Tunisia then sealed their victory in the final moments through Alaaeddine Debrali, who scored a long-range goal just four minutes before the final whistle.

After the match, Assistant Coach Anthony Akhulia acknowledged the team’s struggles. “We didn’t play well compared to the Morocco game, and we did not defend well,” he said in a post-match interview.

Kenya previously suffered a 3-2 defeat to Morocco in their opening game and now must win their upcoming group match against Nigeria on Wednesday to keep alive faint hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals. With only one point from two matches, they face a tricky challenge to turn their campaign around.