Firat eyes vital wins as Harambee fights for AFCON 2025 qualification
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 13.11.24. | 19:40
Kenya, currently third in Group J with four points, must win both matches to keep their qualification hopes alive
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat is targeting crucial victories over Zimbabwe and Namibia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. However, he knows it will be a tough challenge.
Kenya, currently third in Group J with four points, must win both matches to keep their qualification hopes alive. They also need Zimbabwe to avoid a victory against Cameroon in Yaoundé to qualify for AFCON. The Stars face Zimbabwe on Friday in Polokwane, South Africa, and will host Namibia at the same venue next Tuesday.
Cameroon, already qualified, top the group with 10 points, followed by Zimbabwe with eight. Kenya, on four points, sit third, while Namibia, surprisingly, have lost all four of their matches without earning a single point.
Speaking ahead of the must-win clash against Zimbabwe, Firat acknowledged the competitiveness of the group. He expressed surprise at Namibia’s poor showing, noting that the team has only scored once in four games despite their strong World Cup qualifying campaign.
"The group is very competitive, with some strong teams. Namibia finished second in their World Cup qualifying group, and Zimbabwe have only conceded one goal in the tournament," Firat said.
Firat also admitted that Zimbabwe pose a significant challenge, given their squad’s experience in top European leagues.
"Many of Zimbabwe's players are professionals in top leagues such as Ligue 1, Serie A, and the Premier League. They are a complete team with no key players missing," he added.
Despite acknowledging Zimbabwe’s strength, Firat remains determined to win both matches. He emphasized that both Zimbabwe and Namibia are likely to adopt a defensive approach, but Kenya will need to find ways to exploit their weaknesses.
"We understand the need to press our opponents and capitalize on their vulnerabilities. We won’t open up the game, knowing that both Zimbabwe and Namibia tend to sit deep," Firat concluded.
Kenya suffered a setback with injuries to goalkeeper Ian Otieno and midfielder Adam Wilson, both ruled out for the two matches. Daniel Sakari and South Africa-based Brian Bwire have been called up as replacements.
Kenya’s squad in South Africa:
Goalkeepers: Byrne Odhiambo, Faruk Shikhalo, Brian Bwire
Defenders: Daniel Anyembe, Amos Wanjala, Amos Nondi, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Charles Momanyi, Eric Ouma, Daniel Sakari, Abud Omar
Midfielders: Anthony Akumu, Marvin Nabwire, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Richard Odada, Austine Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Alfred Scriven, Leshan Mootian
Forwards: Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, John Avire
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - QUALIFIERS
Wednesday
16.00: (7.25) Namibia (3.60) Cameroon (1.57)
19.00: (3.40) Liberia (3.10) Togo (2.30)
22.00: (5.20) Chad (3.45) Sierra Leone (1.75)
Thursday
16.00: (5.00) Equatorial Guinea (3.45) Algeria (1.78)
16.00: (6.25) Lesotho (3.50) Cental African Republic (1.65)
16.00: (4.80) South Sudan (3.45) Congo (1.80)
18.00: (2.90) Burundi (3.05) Malawi (2.65)
19.00: (7.00) Madagascar (3.50) Tunisia (1.60)
19.00: (1.70) Rwanda (3.50) Libya (5.50)
22.00: (7.25) Benin (3.70) Nigeria (1.55)
22.00: (4.50) Burkina Faso (3.45) Senegal (1.85)
Friday
16.00: (2.35) Botswana (2.75) Mauritania (3.50)
16.00: (2.95) Uganda (3.00) S.Africa (2.65)
19.00: (2.60) Cape Verde (3.05) Egypt (2.70)
19.00: (4.80) Eswatini (3.45) Guinea B. (1.80)
19.00: (4.20) Mozambique (3.20) Mali (2.00)
19.00: (3.90) Zambia (3.20) Ivory Coast (1.95)
19.00: (2.60) Zimbabwe (2.90) Kenya (2.85)
22.00: (3.20) Angola (3.10) Ghana (2.40)
22.00: (5.40) Gabon (3.50) Morocco (1.72)
Saturday
19.00: (3.30) Ethiopia (2.75) Tanzania (2.45)
22.00: (2.45) Guinea (3.10) Dr Congo (3.15)
***odds are subject to change***
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