Mapinduzi Cup: It's do or die as Harambee Stars face Zanzibar in decider

Harambee Stars players during a training session ahead of Mapinduzi Cup decider against Zanzibar. [FKF Media]

Harambee Stars are set to play hosts Zanzibar in a crucial Mapinduzi Cup fixture today (Friday) at Gombani Stadium from 7 pm, with the winner possibly set to lift the trophy.

The one-week tournament, which has seen spirited competition among four teams, will culminate in a dramatic finale as Kenya, Zanzibar, and Burkina Faso battle for the coveted title.

Kenya currently leads the standings with four points, tied with Burkina Faso but enjoying a superior goal difference of +2.

Harambee Stars began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso last Saturday before bouncing back with a commanding 2-0 victory over Tanzania on Tuesday.

Under interim head coach Francis Kimanzi, the Stars are gradually building chemistry as they prepare for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

"We've seen the team come together over the course of the tournament," said Kimanzi during yesterday's press conference.

"Ending our winless streak was critical, and the win against Tanzania showed that we can play good football under pressure. The Mapinduzi Cup has given us a platform to assess and sharpen our preparations for CHAN."

Burkina Faso, who also sit on four points, started their campaign with a slim 1-0 victory over Zanzibar and followed it with the 1-1 draw against Kenya. They remain in contention for the title, but trail the Stars on goal difference (+1).

Zanzibar, on the other hand, remain firmly in the race after securing three points with a narrow 1-0 win over Tanzania.

A win over Kenya could see them crowned champions, provided Burkina Faso fails to defeat Tanzania. Despite sitting third, the hosts have the advantage of home support and are determined to upset the table-toppers.

For Kenya, the head-to-head record against Zanzibar provides an encouraging precedent.

In eight previous encounters, Harambee Stars have won four times, drawn three, and lost just once. Their most recent meeting ended in a 1-0 victory for Kenya in 2019.

Kimanzi is optimistic about maintaining that dominance, but is wary of Zanzibar's threat.

"Zanzibar is a tough team, especially on their home turf," he said. "But we are prepared, and the boys understand the importance of this game. It's about discipline, focus, and executing our strategy on the pitch."

The Mapinduzi Cup has also been a turning point for Harambee Stars, who ended a seven-match winless streak with their victory against Tanzania.

Before this, Kenya had struggled in recent outings, including back-to-back losses to Cameroon (4-1 and 1-0), a defeat to South Sudan (2-0), and draws against Namibia, South Sudan, and Burkina Faso.

Kimanzi believes this tournament has shown Kenya's potential to rise above recent challenges.

"The boys have shown great resilience. We've faced tough opponents and difficult circumstances, but we're beginning to find our rhythm. The Mapinduzi Cup is just the beginning of what we can achieve if we continue to build on this momentum."

Today's encounter will not only test Kenya's tactical discipline but also their ability to manage the pressure of a decisive match.

Zanzibar, buoyed by their home fans, will throw everything into this final fixture, making it a high-stakes showdown.

Meanwhile, Tanzania, who have lost both their matches, will take on Burkina Faso in the other match of the evening. Although they are out of contention for the title, they could play the role of spoilers by denying Burkina Faso crucial points.