AFCON 2025: Will Harambee Stars break losing curse against Cameroon in Yaounde?

Harambee Stars players during a training session at Police Sacco Stadium. [Jonah Onyango,Standard]

Kenya’s Harambee Stars are gearing up for their biggest test yet as they tackle five-time African champions the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier today.

The highly anticipated clash, set for 7pm Kenyan time at the Omnisports Stadium in Yaoundé, marks the first encounter between the two sides in 14 years, rekindling a rivalry that has historically favoured Cameroon.

Harambee Stars head into this fixture top of Group J, boasting four points from the first two matches.

A 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe was followed by an impressive 2-1 win over Namibia, positioning Kenya as the surprise front-runner in a group featuring heavyweights Cameroon.

Meanwhile, the five-time Afcon champions began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Namibia before being held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe.

This back-to-back set of qualifiers will be crucial for both teams’ hopes of securing a spot at the continental showpiece in Algeria next year.

The return leg will be played at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda behind closed doors, as Kenya continues to host its home matches in Kampala due to the absence of Fifa-accredited stadiums in the country.

For Harambee Stars, facing Cameroon has been a historically tough challenge.

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Kenya has failed to secure a win in the last eight encounters against the Indomitable Lions, with the most recent meeting occurring in 2010 during an international friendly in Nairobi, where Cameroon triumphed 3-1.

The rivalry stretches back to 1972 when Cameroon edged out Kenya 2-1 in the Afcon tournament held in Cameroon.

Since then, Kenya has come close on a number occasions, including two stalemates in 1997 during the Afcon qualifiers—a 0-0 draw in Kenya and a 1-1 draw in Cameroon.

One of the more thrilling matches between the two came in the 1987 African Games, where the teams played out a 3-3 draw in Nairobi.

However, Kenya has struggled to get past Cameroon’s formidable defence and potent attack, as evidenced by their losses in other fixtures, including a 2-0 defeat in the 1990 Afcon in Algeria and a 3-1 loss in Nairobi during a 1984 international friendly.

Despite this daunting track record, Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat remains optimistic about Kenya’s chances.

Firat, who has seen his side go unbeaten in their last seven matches this year, believes that this is the perfect opportunity for Kenya to break the curse against Cameroon.

“We’ve had a great year, and the team is in good form,” Firat said. “Our away performances have been solid, and we’ve shown that we can handle tough opposition. Cameroon is a strong team, but I believe we have the talent to secure our first win against them.”

One of Firat’s key motivations is the return of key players from injury. In the opening two qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Stars were missing seven players, including key midfielders, defenders and captain Michael Olunga who is now back.

With a stronger squad now available, Firat is confident that Kenya can go toe-to-toe with the Indomitable Lions.

“It’s good to have a selection headache than an injury headache,” Firat said. “More players for me means more good options and a stronger bench that can change a game if things are not going according to plan.”

Kenya’s depth will be crucial as they face a Cameroon side known for their physicality and experience in high-pressure situations.

Firat’s tactical approach, combined with the resilience the team has shown throughout the year, could be the formula Kenya needs to finally secure a historic victory.

The stakes couldn’t be higher as both teams look to cement their place in next year’s Afcon.

With Kenya currently leading the group and Cameroon lurking just behind, these back-to-back fixtures could decide the fate of both nations’ qualification hopes.