© ZIFA
Zimbabwe vs Kenya Player Ratings: Ayunga, Omurwa shine as Harambee Stars face elimination from AFCON qualification
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Reading Time: 1min | Fri. 15.11.24. | 22:42
The Stars needed a win in this match and hoped for a Zimbabwe loss to Cameroon in the final round to keep their qualification hopes alive
Kenya's hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were dashed after a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in their penultimate Group J match in South Africa.
Zimbabwe took the lead in the 32nd minute with Tawanda Maswanhise's first shot on target. Kenya equalized in the 52nd minute when Jonah Ayunga pounced on a defensive error to score their first goal.
The Stars needed a win in this match and hoped for a Zimbabwe loss to Cameroon in the final round to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Here are the player ratings from Mozzart Sport.
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Bryne OdhiamboGoalkeeper
The Bandari goalkeeper returned to the starting lineup, replacing Patrick Matasi, who was left out of the squad.
Odhiambo showcased good ball distribution, adding flair to his style of play.
He made an impressive point-blank save to keep Kenya in the game but could have done more to prevent Zimbabwe's goal.
Rating
4
Daniel AnyembeDefense
The Viborg defender missed Harambee Stars' last international break in October, and his return to the team was impactful.
Anyembe defended well and delivered quality crosses from corner kicks, although none resulted in a goal. However, he struggled when tasked with pushing forward to join the attack.
Rating
6
Joseph OkumuDefense
The Reims defender struggled to step out of his line effectively to support the team in defense, leading to unnecessary fouls.
Rating
4
Johnstone OmurwaDefense
On his best days, the former Wazito FC defender delivers man-of-the-match performances, and today was no exception.
Omurwa showcased excellent defending, composure in possession, and strong leadership at the back.
He won all his aerial duels and proved effective in both boxes, contributing offensively and defensively.
Rating
7
Aboud OmarDefense
Omar had a tough game, appearing out of position and struggling to provide accurate angles during the buildup. He also failed to push forward when required.
Defensively, he was frequently outpaced and beaten by his opponent.
Rating
3
Anthony AkumuMidfield
When called upon, Akumu gives his all on the field. The former Gor Mahia midfielder dominated the midfield, winning all his ground duels.
However, he struggled with build-ups and maintaining possession, though he effectively neutralized the Warriors' midfield.
Rating
6
Amos NondiDefense
Amos Nondi maintained good possession but struggled to find pocket spaces. Despite this, he remained persistent and showed aggression in duels.
Rating
6
Jonah AyungaAttack
The St. Mirren striker put in an exceptional performance today. He actively participated in Kenya's attacking plays, consistently finding himself in goal-scoring opportunities, running the channels, and contributing defensively.
The goal, his first for the nation, was just the tip of the iceberg, capping off a remarkable display.
Rating
8
Rooney OnyangoDefense
The Gor Mahia defender delivered a lackluster performance, falling short in both defense and attack.
He struggled to support Anyembe in managing the overloads on the right wing and lacked composure in the final third, often making poor decisions. His overall play suggested a lack of fitness.
Rating
3
Erick OumaDefense
Marcelo was lively from the first whistle to the last, but his crossing was poor, and he struggled when deployed as a winger.
He showed improvement after returning to his natural left-back position, though his performance still fell below his usual standard
Rating
6
Michael OlungaAttack
The skipper struggled throughout the game, failing to make his usual runs in the channels as seen in previous matches.
However, he made an impact with his strength, contributing to build-ups by holding the ball and controlling the tempo.
The Al Duhail striker was slightly off in his decision-making, and his body language as captain was less than inspiring.
Rating
5
Duke AbuyaMidfield
He came on and made a significant impact, winning almost every second ball and breaking through the Zimbabwean defense with his incisive passes. We should see more of him in the team.
Rating
6
John AvireAttack
Came on late
Rating
-
Austin OdhiamboAttack
Came on late
Rating
-
