Harambee Stars played out a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe in their opening Group J match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
This match took place at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Uganda, due to Kenya’s lack of an approved stadium for matches.
Despite having significant possession, Kenya struggled to convert their dominance into goals. The absence of key striker Michael Olunga was notably felt, with the team lacking a cutting edge in the final third.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, had a couple of clear chances but couldn’t capitalize, with their best efforts either saved or blocked by the Kenyan defense.
Kenya made an early substitution due to injury, with Amos Nondi replacing Alphonce Omija.
Zimbabwe’s best chances came through efforts by Prince Dube and Khama Billiat, but they were either off target or saved by Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Omondi.
Kenya’s closest chance to scoring came from Eric Ouma, but his shot was saved by Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper.
The draw means Kenya must win their next match against Namibia to keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the 2025 AFCON. This upcoming game will be crucial as only the top two teams in each group qualify for the tournament.
From posts on X, there’s was a mix of disappointment with the result but also some optimism about the team’s performance under the circumstances. Fans and analysts discussed the team’s strategy, the impact of missing key players, and the need for a win in their next fixture.
This result sets the stage for an important upcoming match for Harambee Stars, emphasizing the need for a victory to maintain their qualification campaign’s momentum.
