Kenya vs Zimbabwe at the Four Nations tournament in March 2024. Photo: FKF Media
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Harambee Stars will have to navigate past Cameroon, Namibia and Zimbabwe to make it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following the draw conducted on Thursday.
Kenya were last at the AFCON in 2019 when they exited at the group stage and missed out on the qualification phase for the 2023 tournament following a nine-month FIFA ban.
However, head coach Engin Firat has declared Morocco 2025 a must-attend for Harambee Stars and that means his charges will need to be among the top two teams in Group J at the end of the qualifiers in November.
If they qualify, it would be the seventh appearance at the tournament after 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019 but it will not be easy even if on paper, it appears that Cameroon are the only real threat.
10:56 – 05.07.2024
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has reacted to the qualifying draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which saw Kenya pooled with Cameroon, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Ahead of the start of the qualifiers in September, Pulse Sports looks at Kenya’s opponents in Group J and what they bring.
Cameroon are the second most successful team at the AFCON with their five titles only two shy of the kings of the continent Egypt.
It is no secret that the Indomitable Lions are the favourites to top the group given their class, experience, quality and pedigree.
While results in recent matches have not been impressive, Cameroon rarely fail to qualify for AFCON even when they are not playing well.
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They have been to 20 tournaments already and few, if any, would bet against them missing out.
With players like Andre Onana, Andre Zambo-Anguissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Vincent Aboubakar in their ranks, Harambee Stars stand little chance but they can draw inspiration from their recent matches.
Since being knocked out of the 2023 AFCON at the Round of 16, after sneaking into the knockout round, they have beaten Cape Verde 4-1 before drawing 1-1 with Angola in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers last month.
Cameroon and Kenya have met eight times with the West Africans winning four and as many matches ending in draws. Firat and his charges have their work cut out.
13:00 – 05.07.2024
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Namibia will be looking for a fifth appearance at the AFCON and a second straight after their qualification for the 1998, 2008, 2019 and 2023 tournaments.
The Brave Warriors have made giant strides in recent years and all this was on display at the 2023 AFCON in the Ivory Coast where they made the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.
A 1-0 win over top ranked Tunisia and a goalless draw with Mali were enough to send them to the knockout stages and should pose more danger to all their opponents in the group.
Namibia are undefeated since the AFCON with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in a friendly match followed by a similar result with Liberia and a 0-0 against Tunisia in the World Cup qualifiers last month.
15:00 – 02.07.2024
Kenya have put themselves in a good position to advance to the semifinal of the COSAFA Cup following a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe.
Over half of their squad plays in the South African league with the likes of Orlando Pirates wingback Deon Hotto and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile the men to watch.
The Brave Warriors and Harambee Stars have faced off six times, the South Africans winning four, and two victories going to Kenya.
Like Kenya, Zimbabwe were also locked out of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers due to a FIFA ban and would like to make up for lost time.
Zimbabwe had been to three straight AFCONs (2017, 2019 and 2021) before the ban put paid to their dreams. They were also at the 2004 and 2006 tournaments and will be keen for a sixth appearance.
13:44 – 04.07.2024
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They have never gone past the group stage though but that will be secondary now with qualification the only aim.
Their recent form has, however, not been good since from their return to action in November 2023, they have played seven matches and not won any.
Zimbabwe started with four straight draws but have lost the last three, including a 3-1 defeat to Kenya, at the Four Nations tournament in March.
That will give their rivals belief of maximum points with Kenya set to draw confidence from their head-to-head record which has seen them win six, draw four and lose just one of their 11 meetings against the Warriors.
07:18 – 05.07.2024
Harambee Stars boss Engin Firat has heaped praise on the impact the former Gor Mahia and Kariobangi Sharks defender has brought to the team since his heroic debut against Ivory Coast in June
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