Depleted Harambee Stars tackle Zimbabwe in pivotal AFCON 2025 qualifying opener

Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, will kick off their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign on Friday afternoon against Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Stadium (Namboole) in Uganda, with the match scheduled for 1600 Hrs EAT.

The Stars, who are playing their home match away from home, face several uncertainties regarding player availability as they aim to maintain their recent dominance over The Warriors.

Head-to-head dominance

Akin to Harambee Stars’ superior FIFA ranking (108) over Zimbabwe (129), Kenya holds an unbeaten record against their opponents, having won three of their last four matches while only conceding once.

In the team’s last meeting, Harambee Stars emerged comfortable 2-0 winners despite fielding an Under-23 side in the COSAFA Cup in South Africa.

As far as the senior team is confirmed, Kenya registered a 3-1 win over their counterparts in a Four Nations Tournament friendly in March, with all Harambee Stars goals coming from Michael Olunga.

Big player misses

Among the headliners who will be missing the game on Friday will be skipper Olunga, who sustained an injury and was unable to link up with the squad in camp.

Other players named in the final squad expected to miss are Johnstone Omurwa and Timothy Ouma, who add up to the piling number of players who ended up unavailable after all.

“This is a big problem because of their importance in deciding fixtures,” Firat said of the missing players. "That, however, doesn’t mean that Zimbabwe are going to have a walk in the park as they probably expect.”

Engin Firat picks Harambee Stars captain in absence of Michael Olunga

What to expect

Zimbabwe, unlike in the previous games where Kenya has found the edge, are now under a new head coach in Michael Nees, and Firat expects them to come out energized and feeling different.

“Because of the new coach and motivation, I am sure that they will come out with improved self-confidence and they have a strong squad unlike us, who have many problems,” Firat said. “As I said, they may feel superior on paper but it will not be a walk in the park for them.”

5 key battles expected in Harambee Stars AFCON qualifier against Zimbabwe

Asked about players set to “fill in the gaps” with several starters out, he said: “We have more players. Maybe we will make a few surprises in the starting eleven but my job is to find solutions.”

Where to watch

Ideally, Firat in his bullish fashion would wish “Kenyans to fill the stadium,” but with the match away from home, fans will catch the game on state broadcaster KBC.

For the traveling fans, more information on how to purchase tickets can be found here.

AFCON 2025 - QUALIFIERS

Friday

16.00: (2.50) Kenya (2.95) Zimbabwe (2.90)

19.00: (1.62) S.Africa (3.50) Uganda (6.50)

19.00: (1.60) Togo (3.50) Liberia (7.00)

19.00: (1.97) Dr Congo (3.30) Guinea (4.20)

19.00: (1.75) Sierra Leone (3.45) Chad (5.20)

22.00: (1.22) Morocco (6.25) Gabon (14.0)

22.00: (1.53) Egypt (3.90) Cape Verde (7.00)

22.00: (1.38) Ivory Coast (4.50) Zambia (9.50)

22.00: (1.40) Senegal (4.30) Burkina Faso (9.50)

22.00: (1.40) Mali (4.30) Mozambique (9.50)

***odds are subject to change***