Harambee Stars Struggle in a 1-1 draw Against Zimbabwe in AFCON Opener

Kenya's Harambee Stars started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Uganda. Despite dominating possession throughout the match, Kenya failed to capitalize on their control, struggling to find the back of the net.

Hosts Kenya & Zimbabwe settle for a point in Kampala after a barren stalemate at Mandela National Stadium on Friday

Coach Engin Firat’s side, missing their star captain and striker Michael Olunga, lacked creativity up front. Though the Kenyan team held much of the ball in the first half, they rarely troubled Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Washington Arubi. Firat's men found it difficult to carve out clear scoring opportunities, leaving their fans wanting more from the attacking lineup.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, proved more threatening on the counter, with veteran Khama Billiat at the heart of their efforts. They came close on several occasions but were unable to capitalize, thanks in part to a solid defensive performance from Kenya’s Joseph Okumu, who made a crucial late clearance to deny the Warriors what could have been a decisive goal.

Reflecting on the result, coach Engin Firat admitted, "We controlled the game but were not clinical enough in the final third. We need to be sharper if we want to progress in this competition."

With their sights now set on Namibia, whom they will face next week in South Africa, Firat is hoping for a turnaround in the team's fortunes. “We will make the necessary adjustments. The next game is crucial, and we need to secure all three points,” Firat said. Whether Olunga will return for that match remains uncertain, adding further suspense to Kenya’s qualification journey.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the AFCON tournament, and Kenya will need a stronger performance to stay on track for qualification.

As the Harambee Stars prepare for their next encounter against Namibia, the question remains: Can they bounce back and find their first win in this crucial AFCON campaign?