Kenya vs Zimbabwe: Historical Preview and How to Watch

Posted by By admin September 6, 2024 Harambee Stars
Kenya vs Zimbabwe Preview: Harambee Stars defender Abud Omar beats Rooney Onyango to the ball during one of their training sessions in Nairobi
Kenya vs Zimbabwe Preview: Harambee Stars defender Abud Omar beats Rooney Onyango to the ball during one of their training sessions in Nairobi

The Kenya National team, Harambee Stars, starts its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualification campaign with a match against Zimbabwe on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Uganda.

This will be the first of a series of two-legged qualifiers to be played in September, October, and November. Kenya will play Namibia in the second match of the qualification campaign on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

Head to Head

Harambee Stars has played against Zimbabwe twice this year, winning on both occasions. In July, Kenya beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in the COSAFA Cup played in South Africa. Austin Odhiambo and Benson Omalla were on target, featuring in a team that largely comprised players under the age of 23.

In March, Kenya’s first team came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in the final match of a four-nation tournament played in Lilongwe, Malawi. Michael Olunga netted a sensational hat trick to dispatch the Southern African nation after they opened the scoring early in the first half through a Joseph Okumu own goal. The tourney featured the two nations alongside Zambia and the hosts, Malawi.

Before this, the last time these two nations faced off was in June 2008, in a World Cup Qualifier. Kenya won 2-0 at home, courtesy of goals by Dennis Oliech and McDonald Mariga, before holding the Zimbabweans to a goalless draw away from home.

Team News

Kenya’s coach Engin Firat has been sweating over the availability of captain and star forward Michael Olunga, who was injured while on duty for his club Al Duhail in Qatar. The coach revealed that Olunga’s chances of participating in the match were minimal but noted that he needed to find solutions to the void left.

“This is a big problem because of their importance in deciding fixtures,” Firat said of the missing players. “That, however, doesn’t mean that Zimbabwe is going to have a walk in the park as they probably expect,” he added.

In Olunga’s place, Firat has Egypt-based John Avire and Scotland-based Jonah Ayunga, as well as Benson Omalla, who recently sealed a move to Lebanese side Al Safa.

Johnstone Omurwa has also pulled out of the squad for personal reasons. It is rumoured that the defender prioritized sealing a move to an unnamed Saudi Arabian club after parting ways with Portuguese club Estrella at the end of last season.

Sweden-based Timothy Babu Ouma, Collins Sichenje, and Ian Otieno will also miss the team’s campaign this month.

Firat has, however, been boosted by the return of defenders Joseph Okumu and Eric Marcelo Ouma, who both missed the June World Cup Qualifiers.

What is at Stake?

At stake is a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya has been pooled in Group J of the Qualifiers alongside Cameroon, Namibia and Zimbabwe. After taking on Zimbabwe, the Harambee Stars will face Namibia on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

Only the top two teams from each of the 12 qualification groups will qualify for the 2025 AFCON to be held in Morocco between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.

Stars last took part in the Africa Cup of Nations final tournament in 2019 in Egypt. The team could not make it out of Group C, which comprised neighbors Tanzania and eventual tournament finalists Senegal and Algeria. The latter won the competition.

In the subsequent edition in 2021, Kenya couldn’t make it to the continental showpiece held in Cameroon after coming up third in the qualifiers behind Egypt and Comoros. A draw at home against Comoros and a loss away to the island nation seemed to be the sucker punch that sealed Kenya’s fate.

Later in the 2023 qualifiers, Kenya missed out entirely on the trip to Ivory Coast due to a FIFA-imposed ban caused by the government’s interference in the running of the Football Kenya Federation.

2025 AFCON Qualifiers Fixtures

  1. Kenya vs Zimbabwe (Mandela National Stadium, September 6, 2024, 4 pm EAT)
  2. Namibia vs Kenya (Orlando Stadium, South Africa, September 10, 2024, 7 pm EAT)
  3. Cameroon vs Kenya (October 7, 2024)
  4. Kenya vs Cameroon (October 15, 2024)
  5. Zimbabwe vs Kenya (November 11, 2024)
  6. Kenya vs Namibia (November 19, 2024)

Harambee Stars final squad

Goalkeepers

Levis Opiyo, Patrick Matasi, Byrne Omondi

Defenders

Sharrif Majabe, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi, Abud Omar, Eric Ouma, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija

Midfielders

Chris Erambo, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Eric Johanna, Ronney Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Alwyn Tera

Forwards

John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, Victor Omune

Probable Lineup

Byrne Omondi (GK), Alphonce Omija, Johnstone Omurwa, Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Eric Johanna, Rooney Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, John Avire

Where to Watch

KBC Channel One

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