Coming off a 4-1 defeat against Cameroon in Yaoundé, Harambee Stars entered their AFCON qualification rematch on the back foot, desperately needing a positive result to keep their dreams of participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive.
The match was hosted at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda, as Kenya lacks a CAF-approved stadium to host international fixtures. This challenging circumstance adds to the pressure on the Harambee Stars, who had hoped to rally the support of their fans, only to find themselves unable to do so.
In a bid to address the weaknesses exposed in the first leg, head coach Engin Firat made several tactical and personnel changes to the starting lineup. Bryne Omondi was handed the starting role in goal, replacing Patrick Matasi, whose performance in the 4-1 loss had been widely criticized.
Okumu, Omurwa recalled
In defense, Daniel Anyembe slotted in at right back in place of Amos Nondi, while Johnstone Omurwa came in for Sylvester Owino. Perhaps most notably, Joseph Okumu, who had only appeared off the bench in the previous encounter, returned to the starting lineup, restoring stability to the Kenyan backline. These changes were aimed at tightening the defense and providing a more cohesive unit as they prepared to face one of Africa’s footballing giants.
Both teams started the match cautiously, feeling each other out in the opening exchanges. However, in the 13th minute, Cameroon’s talisman and captain, Vincent Aboubakar, fired the first warning shot, forcing Bryne Omondi into a fine save to keep the score level. Omondi’s early performance showcased his readiness and resolve to make amends for the team’s prior defeat.
How we line up#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/pjfiTpY7hX
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) October 14, 2024
Kenya, eager to make amends for their earlier thrashing, grew into the game. In the 21st minute, the Harambee Stars had their first real opportunity to break the deadlock. Captain Michael Olunga, stationed in a tight position near the goal line, opted to pass to Duke Abuya instead of taking the shot himself. Abuya’s subsequent pass found John Avire, whose shot drifted wide, much to the frustration of the Kenyan fans watching from home.
Shortly after, in the 25th minute, Duke Abuya was shown a yellow card after a clumsy challenge on André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Kenya continued to press forward, winning a corner in the 28th minute. Left-back Eric Ouma, also known as “Marcelo,” swung in a dangerous ball, but Olunga’s powerful header was met with an equally impressive save by André Onana, Cameroon’s goalkeeper and Manchester United star.
As the half wore on, Cameroon began to carve out more chances, but Omondi was in inspired form, producing another vital save in the 30th minute to keep the Indomitable Lions at bay. The half ended 0-0, with both teams still searching for the breakthrough. This was a promising sign for Kenya, who had shown improvement compared to their previous outing.
Cameroon Set-piece
Firat made a change at halftime, bringing on Alphonse Omija for Anyembe to add fresh legs to the defense. Kenya started the second half with renewed energy, but Cameroon gradually began to assert their dominance. Omondi continued his heroics, making yet another crucial save in the 52nd minute to deny the visitors what seemed like a certain goal.
Despite Kenya’s resolute defense, Cameroon’s persistence eventually paid off. In the 64th minute, they were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. With Kenya’s defensive wall poised to block the shot, Cameroon executed the set-piece perfectly, with a curling strike that left Omondi rooted to the spot, finally breaking the deadlock. The goal sent shockwaves through the Kenyan camp, putting immense pressure on the players to respond.
Kenya fought valiantly to get back into the match, but Cameroon, buoyed by their lead, slowed the game down and managed the remainder of the match professionally. Despite their best efforts, the Harambee Stars couldn’t find an equalizer, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Cameroon. It was a heartbreaking result for Kenya, whose qualification hopes now rest on their final two games.
Zimbabwe Thrashes Namibia
In the other match in Group J, Zimbabwe put in a dominant display against Namibia at Orlando Stadium in South Africa. After a goalless first half, Zimbabwe took the lead through Walter Musona in the second half. Musona then doubled Zimbabwe’s advantage from the penalty spot before Prince Dube added a third. Namibia managed a consolation goal late in the game, courtesy of Godwin Eiseb, but it was too little, too late. The 3-1 loss eliminated Namibia from AFCON qualification contention.
Group J Table: The Battle for Second Place
Following the results, Cameroon sits comfortably at the top of Group J with 10 points, having already secured qualification for the 2025 AFCON. Zimbabwe, buoyed by their 3-1 win over Namibia, moved into second place with 8 points, while Kenya remains third with 4 points. Namibia, still without a point, has been mathematically eliminated from the qualification race.
Kenya now faces a crucial showdown against Zimbabwe on 11th November 2024, knowing that only a win will keep their slim hopes of qualification alive. Following that match, Harambee Stars will take on Namibia on 19th November 2024, in what could potentially be a formality if they fail to get a result against Zimbabwe.
2025 AFCON Qualifiers Table
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cameroon | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| 2 |  Zimbabwe | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 |  Kenya | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
| 4 |  Namibia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 |
What Firat Said
After the match, Harambee Stars Hess Coach Engin Firat reflected on his team’s performance and the key tactical changes he had implemented.
“We controlled the game in the first half and in the second half we wanted to go for the result,” Firat said. “We had more than enough chances, but they scored from a free kick, and there’s nothing we can do after that.”
While Firat was disappointed with the result, he praised his players for their effort and lamented Cameroon’s time-wasting tactics after they took the lead. “We dominated the game totally after their goal. You don’t see Cameroon playing in our half after that; they started wasting time,” Firat remarked. Despite the loss, Firat believes his team can still turn things around in the remaining fixtures, though the road to qualification has become considerably steeper.
2025 AFCON Journey
Kenya’s journey to the 2025 AFCON now hangs by a thread, but Firat and his team are determined to fight until the very end. With everything on the line in their upcoming clash with Zimbabwe, the Harambee Stars must summon all their resilience and quality to keep their qualification hopes alive. Failure to secure a positive result in that match will likely see their AFCON aspirations dashed, while success could reignite their chances and provide a glimmer of hope as they navigate the challenging path ahead.
In conclusion, the next match against Zimbabwe is pivotal for Kenya. The players need to harness their abilities, draw on their experiences, and respond to the expectations of a nation hoping for footballing glory on the continental stage. Every moment counts as they battle not just for qualification but for the pride of representing their country in Africa’s premier football competition.