AFCON 2025: Omalla ready to fill in the shoes of Olunga as Kenya face Zimbabwe

Harambee Stars forward Benson Omalla Ochieng tackled by teammate during teams training at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi on September 01, 2024. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

After missing out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) owing to a Fifa ban, Harambee Stars will be keen to start their qualifiers for next year's finals set to be played in Morocco on the front foot when they take on Zimbabwe on Friday from 4pm at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda.

For the second time in a row this year, the national team will miss a home advantage as they will host the Warriors in Kampala due to lack of a Fifa-accredited stadium in the country.

However, the Engin Firat outfit must win against the South Africans if they want to repeat the feat they achieved in 2019 when Kenya qualified for the continental finals in Egypt.

Kenya was drawn against five-time African winners Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and face a tough challenge, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the tournament finals.

Speaking before leaving for Kampala, Harambee Stars forward Benson Omalla said the team was ready for the tough hurdle.

For Omalla, this will not only be his first Afcon attempt outing but also might be his first competitive match if called upon to fill in the 'big shoes' of the injured captain Michael Olunga.

"Preparations have been well and the selected team I believe fulfilled the coach's expectations and that's why we are here today. We know the level required in such games and personally am ready," said Omalla.

"I have learnt a lot from the senior players and I believe if given a chance, scoring goals will not be a problem. The captain has been my mentor over the years I have been with the team, and I have been following his footsteps and guidance, factors that help me be even more confident."

Prior to their departure to Kampala, Stars coach Engin Firat noted that the group consists of teams with different struggles, many of which are defensive in nature.

"Every team has a weakness in this Group. It is up to us to take our chances and capitalize on their mistakes. I believe this pool will be wide open until the last matches and so we have to make it count as early as the first match," said the Turkish tactician.

Firat, who has been under criticism due to the team's inconsistency, said it will all come down to a game of mental. He said Stars should not underestimate any opponent in the qualifiers.

"We are mentally ready despite the challenges like playing in Uganda. We have to win. However, we should not underestimate them. We have dominated them in the past but this is different," said Firat.

Kenya have a solid track record against Zimbabwe, remaining unbeaten in their four previous encounters, with three wins and one draw.

Their most recent victory came in July during the COSAFA Cup, where Kenya triumphed 2-0, thanks to goals from Austin Odhiambo and Benson Omalla.

The team also boasts a 3-1 victory in a Fifa International friendly match in March and a 2-0 win during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in 2008. The only draw between the two sides was 0-0 in 2008.

After today's encounter, Harambee Stars will travel to South Africa ahead of their match against Namibia on September 10.