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Harambee Stars forward Eric Johana (left) fights for the ball with Khama Billiat of Zimbabwe during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers Group J first leg match at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. [Courtesy, Standard]
Kenya’s quest to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), set to be held in Morocco, got off to a poor start as Harambee Stars were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe's Warriors in their opening Group J match.
It was a disappointing outing for Engin Firat's boys who were hosting their match at Mandela National Stadium, in Kampala Uganda due to lack of Fifa-accredited facilities in the country.
The result leaves Kenya with just a single point, far from the three they desperately needed to ignite their campaign and mirror their 2019 feat when they qualified for the continental finals in Egypt.
In fact, it was Kenya who appeared lucky to escape with a draw, as Zimbabwe dominated large portions of the game and nearly snatched victory.
Harambee Stars goalkeeper, Bryne Odhiambo, was Kenya’s savior, pulling off a string of crucial saves to deny the visitors the win.
A victory in the opening game would have provided a significant confidence boost for either side in the remaining matches in a tough group that also includes Cameroon and Namibia. Instead, the goalless draw leaves Kenya with much to ponder ahead of their next match against Namibia next Tuesday.
The absence of star striker and captain Michael Olunga loomed large over the game. Olunga, sidelined due to injury, was sorely missed, as the Kenyan side struggled to find a cutting edge in attack.
Olunga’s leadership and goalscoring prowess could have made the difference, but in his absence, Harambee Stars lacked the firepower to penetrate Zimbabwe’s resolute defence.
Head coach Engin Firat’s tactical decisions were also a point of controversy.
In a surprising move, Firat opted to leave all three of his available natural strikers on the bench, including FKF Premier League top scorer Benson Omalla.
Instead, the coach gambled by deploying midfielder Eric Johanna as the centre forward, a decision that did not pay off. Johanna, more accustomed to playing in midfield, struggled to make an impact up front, further compounding Kenya’s attacking woes.
Kenya's attacking struggles were evident throughout the match. Despite some promising build-up play, Harambee Stars rarely threatened Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
The Zimbabwean backline remained largely untroubled, with Kenya failing to register any meaningful shots on target.
The lack of a natural striker in the starting lineup left Kenya toothless in the final third, leading to growing frustration among fans and pundits alike.
Firat’s decision to forgo starting a striker left many questioning the technical bench’s strategy. With three natural forwards available, including the league's top scorer, the failure to start any of them felt like a missed opportunity to test Zimbabwe's defense and apply pressure.
The draw leaves Kenya with work to do as they prepare for their next crucial Group J match against Namibia, scheduled for next Tuesday.
Namibia presents another tough challenge, and Kenya will need to secure a victory if they are to stay on track for Afcon qualification. With powerhouse Cameroon also in the group, Harambee Stars cannot afford any more slip-ups.
However, if they are to book a ticket to Morocco, the Stars must find back their shooting boots immediately.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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