5 key battles expected in Harambee Stars AFCON qualifier against Namibia
Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 09.09.24. | 19:00
There will be battles all over the pitch with players expecting to win their duels and influence the game to the advantage of their respective countries
Namibia will host Kenya in matchday two of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with the finals of the tournament set to take place next year in Morocco.
There will be battles all over the pitch with players expecting to win their duels and influence the game to the advantage of their respective countries.
Both teams failed to get a win in their respective opening fixtures and will be looking forward to mending that when they clash at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars played out to a goalless draw against Zimbabwe on Friday afternoon in a match played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium (Namboole) in Uganda due to the unavailability of a CAF-approved stadium in the country.
Namibia on the other hand missed the cutting edge in front of goal in Saturday's opening game against Cameroon where they eventually lost by a solitary goal courtesy of veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar.
Here are the five key battles expected when the two sides meet tomorrow.
- Peter Shalulile vs Joseph Okumu
It will be a battle of Captains when 30-year-old Namibian striker Peter Shalulile meets Kenyan Captain Joseph Okumu standing tall at the heart of Kenya's defense.
Shalulile who has scored 16 goals in 49 senior caps for Namibia since his debut in September 2024 will be keen to find his scoring boots after missing them in the match against Cameroon.
The Mamelodi Sundowns striker will however have to finish with Stade de Reims defender Okumu first before finding the back of the net.
The Kakamega High School alumnus was one of the outstanding players in a generally disappointing performance by Harambee Stars against Zimbabwe.
Okumu will once again strive to help his goalkeeper keep a clean sheet and that then creates the exciting duel between him and Shalulile.
2. John Avire vs Kennedy Amutenya
After huge criticism for failing to start any of the three strikers in his squad when Kenya drew with Zimbabwe, coach Engin Firat is expected to pick one of his goal poachers against Namibia with Avire the most likely candidate.
Avire was the striker that the Turkish tactician looked up to in the tail end of the game when he needed a striker and he might just start this time round.
If picked, the 27-year-old who turns out for Egyptian club Misr el Makasa will be out to make sure he gets at least a goal for Kenya.
The former Sofapaka striker will however have to find a formula to get past Gaborone United’s Amutenya who will be marshaling the defense for the Brave Warriors of Namibia.
The 29-year-old defender has been a key member of the Namibian team and will be keen to keep a clean sheet after failing to do so against Cameroon.
3.Prins Tjiueza vs Abud Omar
22-year-old Prins Tjiueza who plies his trade with South African Premier Division club Cape Town City will be an instrumental figure for his side if they are to win against Kenya.
Tjiueza will be operating on the right flank of the Brave Warriors attack as he tries to produce danger in the width.
He will however be encountering Police's defender Abud Omar who is expected to step in for Eric Marcelo Ouma who is unlikely to be ready for the match due to injury.
The two players will be keeping a watch on each other and try to outshine one another on the left side which looks to be a key area for the game.
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4. Austin Odhiambo vs Aprocious Petrus
Gor Mahia attacking midfielder and FKF Premier League reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP), Austin Odhiambo played the full match when Kenya played against Zimbabwe.
It is therefore expected that he will be tasked once again with providing the creative spark for Kenya when they meet Namibia.
Firat will be hoping that Odhiambo replicates his league performances against Namibia and just be the supplier in chief to the striker.
The former AFC Leopards midfielder will however be against Cape Town City’s Aprocious Petrus who will be tasked with screening Namibia’s defense.
The battle between these two might just be
the difference in the match with the winner of this battle most likely be on the winning side.
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5. Rooney Onyango vs Riaan Hanamub
The Gor Mahia defender is once again expected to start as the right winger for Kenya as Firat keeps trusting in him.
Rooney was rather silent against Zimbabwe and will be keen to play at his very best against the Brave Warriors.
To influence the game by creating chances, providing assists and maybe scoring a goal, the former Wazito man will have to outdo Amazulu defender Riaan Hanamub.
Hanamub who likes to overlap will also be aiming to provide an attacking option to his side in the match.
In conclusion, both teams will be expected to go out on the attack as they all pursue their first wins of the qualifiers.
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