Mariga's seal of approval for Rising Stars ahead of AFCON clash with Tunisia
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 04.05.25. | 13:12
The former Parma midfielder expressed satisfaction with how the bench had addressed the shortcomings that saw the team fall 3-2 to Morocco in the opening match on Thursday
Football Kenya Federation vice president McDonald Mariga has hailed the quality of the U20 men's football players, terming them levels clear of the Rising Stars teams assembled during his active years.
Mariga has always maintained a close relationship with the Rising Stars and other junior national teams since being appointed the Head of Youth Development at FKF.
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The former Kenyan international consistently spares time to attend Rising Stars training sessions, occasionally joins them on the pitch for warm-up, offers counsel, and is always present in all their activities.
He has never shied away from praising the quality and abilities of the players, especially when on media duties, and further, speaks highly of their discipline and determination to succeed in their careers.
On Sunday night, the former Inter Milan man went a notch higher in praising the players and the technical bench, as he labeled them the best U20 team the country has ever assembled.
Mariga's observation can be backed by the fact that this is the second U20 team to play at the AFCON and could potentially go on to make history by qualifying for the World Cup.
"The boys we have in our U20 team are good. I do not think we were anywhere near their levels during our time. They are in good hands and under a good technical bench. As FKF, we are pushing and supporting them to achieve their career goals," he said.
When asked about the possibility of Stars shining against Tunisia on Sunday, 4 May, Mariga was quick to note that the North Africans were beatable.
The former Parma midfielder expressed satisfaction with how the bench had addressed the shortcomings that saw the team fall 3-2 to Morocco in the opening match on Thursday, 1 May.
"The team has worked on the mistakes and lapses that cost us in our first game. We are not under pressure at all going into our match against Tunisia. They are beatable just like any other team in the tournament," remarked Mariga.
