Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo is making waves in the football world, and his recent form is bound to cause concern for Kenya’s Harambee Stars ahead of their double header in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers this October. Mbeumo, a key player for Premier League side Brentford, has been delivering standout performances that have raised expectations for his national team, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
The striker’s recent hot scoring streak for Brentford serves as a warning to Kenya’s defense. With six goals this season in the Premier League, Mbeumo has been one of the league’s top performers, outscoring even Manchester United’s entire squad in their first six games of the 2024-25 season. His ability to score consistently has been evident in the last three games, where he has found the back of the net in each outing. Most notably, he was instrumental in Brentford’s 5-3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he showcased his sharpness in front of goal.
For the Harambee Stars, Mbeumo’s form adds a layer of complexity to their AFCON qualifier preparations. The Kenyan side, currently sitting at the top of their qualification group, shares the same number of points with Cameroon, but has a slight edge due to a superior goal difference. The two sides will meet twice in October, with Cameroon hosting the first match on the 11th before traveling to Kampala, Uganda, where Kenya will host the return leg four days later.
Cameroon’s coach, Marc Brys, will be buoyed by the performance of his star striker. Mbeumo has been a regular for the national team, featuring in all of their last four matches. Despite not having scored for Cameroon since their 1-1 draw with Angola in a World Cup qualifier in June, his current club form suggests that it’s only a matter of time before he starts scoring for his country again. His presence on the pitch alone will command significant attention from Kenya’s defense, making him a player to watch in both matches.
Kenya, on the other hand, will be looking to contain the in-form forward as they seek to consolidate their position at the top of the group. The Harambee Stars have shown some defensive solidity, particularly in their goalless draw against Zimbabwe, but Mbeumo’s pace, positioning, and finishing ability present a different kind of challenge. Kenyan defenders will need to be at their best to stop the Brentford striker from having an impact on the game.
In addition to the threat posed by Mbeumo, Cameroon boasts a number of other quality players who can cause problems for Kenya. The Indomitable Lions are traditionally one of Africa’s strongest football nations, and their squad is filled with talent from top European leagues. The likes of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Karl Toko Ekambi are just a few examples of the kind of quality that Cameroon can bring to the table. For Kenya, this means they will have to be prepared for more than just Mbeumo when the two teams meet.
Kenya will also be bolstered by the return of their captain and talisman, Michael Olunga. The striker, who plies his trade with Al Duhail in Qatar, has been in fine form for his club and will be eager to lead his country to success in the AFCON qualifiers. Olunga’s presence gives the Harambee Stars a significant boost in attack, and his goal-scoring ability will be crucial if Kenya is to get positive results in the upcoming matches. His leadership on the pitch will also be vital, especially given the quality of opposition they are up against.
Olunga’s return, however, doesn’t solve all of Kenya’s problems. A former Harambee Stars forward recently pointed out that Kenya’s over-reliance on individual players like Olunga highlights the country’s lack of a structured talent succession plan. For years, Kenya has struggled to consistently produce top-level talent, and this has left the national team heavily dependent on a few key players. The current squad lacks depth in certain positions, which could be a concern as they face a well-rounded Cameroon side.
The former player’s comments are reflective of a broader issue in Kenyan football. While the country has produced some talented players over the years, there has been little in the way of a cohesive plan to develop and nurture talent at the grassroots level. As a result, Kenya often finds itself in situations where they are overly reliant on a handful of players, and when those players are unavailable or off-form, the team struggles.
This lack of a structured talent development system also affects Kenya’s ability to compete on the international stage. While countries like Cameroon have established systems in place that produce a steady stream of top players, Kenya has lagged behind in this regard. This disparity in talent development is likely to be a factor in the upcoming matches, as Cameroon can call upon a deeper pool of talent than Kenya.
Despite these challenges, Kenya has shown that they are capable of competing at a high level. Their 2-1 win over Namibia in the qualifiers was a demonstration of their potential. In that game, the Harambee Stars showed good organization and resilience, qualities they will need to replicate if they are to get a result against Cameroon.
Kenya’s coach will also need to get his tactics right. Containing Mbeumo and Cameroon’s other attacking threats will require a well-disciplined defensive performance, but Kenya cannot afford to sit back and defend for 90 minutes. They will need to find a balance between defense and attack, and players like Olunga and the highly-rated Timothy Ouma will be key to their offensive strategy.
Ouma, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, is one of the brightest prospects in Kenyan football. The young midfielder has been impressive for his club and is seen as a future star for the national team. His ability to control the tempo of the game and create chances for his teammates will be crucial in the matches against Cameroon. If Ouma can rise to the occasion, he could be the key to unlocking Cameroon’s defense and providing the service that Olunga thrives on.
The upcoming double-header between Kenya and Cameroon is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Both teams have everything to play for, with qualification for the AFCON tournament on the line. For Cameroon, the pressure will be on to live up to their reputation as one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses, while Kenya will be looking to prove that they can compete with the best teams on the continent.
Mbeumo’s current form for Brentford adds an extra layer of intrigue to the matches. His performances in the Premier League have shown that he is a player capable of making a difference at the highest level, and Kenya will need to find a way to neutralize his threat. However, Cameroon is far from a one-man team, and Kenya will need to be at their best to stand a chance against the Indomitable Lions.
For Kenya, the return of Olunga is a major boost, but they will need more than just their captain’s goals to overcome Cameroon. The team will need to play as a cohesive unit, with every player contributing to both defense and attack. The outcome of the matches could well be decided by which team is able to execute their game plan more effectively.
As the two sides prepare to face off, one thing is clear: the stakes are high. With both teams level on points, these matches could determine who tops the group and secures a place in the AFCON tournament. For Kenya, it’s an opportunity to make a statement on the international stage, while for Cameroon, it’s a chance to assert their dominance and show why they are considered one of Africa’s footballing giants.
In the end, it will come down to which team can handle the pressure and perform when it matters most. Whether Mbeumo can continue his hot streak for Cameroon, or Olunga can inspire Kenya to victory, only time will tell. What is certain is that these matches promise to be a fascinating contest between two teams with everything to play for.
