Kenya’s Harambee Stars face a decisive match against Zimbabwe in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers on Friday, with their tournament hopes hanging by a thread. The clash is scheduled for Friday evening at Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium, where Kenya will need an all-or-nothing performance to keep their AFCON dream alive. For Kenyan fans, the game will be aired live on KBC TV, with coverage beginning at 7 pm local time, and will also be available on Azam TV’s Azam Sports 3 for pay-TV subscribers.
The stakes could not be higher for the Harambee Stars, who must secure a win in both of their remaining qualifiers while hoping for favorable results in other Group J matches. With four points from four games, Kenya trails Zimbabwe by four points and Cameroon by seven. Cameroon, with 11 points, has already qualified, leaving Kenya with a challenging path: they must beat Zimbabwe and Namibia in consecutive matches and hope Zimbabwe loses or draws in their final game against Cameroon.
Kenya’s coach, Engin Firat, is expected to deploy a more aggressive strategy in this matchup, learning from a previous defensive approach that led to a goalless draw against Zimbabwe in Kampala in September. Kenya’s defense strategy, while cautious, may have cost them valuable points in a game they were in a position to win. Firat now looks to pivot to a proactive game plan to break down Zimbabwe’s defense and capture the essential win.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are in a much more favorable position, needing only a draw to secure their AFCON 2025 spot. Their recent form has been steady, with two consecutive draws against Kenya and Cameroon, followed by back-to-back wins over Namibia. This strong performance has placed them in the driver’s seat, with their qualification chances looking secure as long as they avoid a loss against Kenya.
For Kenya, however, there are reasons for optimism. The two teams have a long history, with Kenya having the edge in their head-to-head record. In 12 encounters dating back to 1982, the Harambee Stars have won six times, drawn five, and lost only once to Zimbabwe. This lone loss was in 1985, and since then, Kenya has held Zimbabwe at bay, winning four of their last six meetings. This impressive record will surely boost the Harambee Stars’ morale, as they seek to extend their unbeaten streak against Zimbabwe and keep their AFCON hopes alive.
Kenyan striker Michael Olunga will be a key player in this high-stakes match. With five goals in his last five games, Olunga has proven himself as Kenya’s primary goal threat, and Zimbabwe will need to be wary of his form. If Olunga can maintain his scoring momentum, Kenya’s offensive efforts will receive a significant boost, adding to their chances of securing the necessary win.
In the build-up to this game, both teams have put in contrasting performances. Zimbabwe’s unbeaten run has highlighted their stability, while Kenya has seen mixed results in Group J. After an initial draw and a promising win, Kenya suffered two consecutive losses to Cameroon, setting them back in their qualification journey. To make matters more challenging, Kenya’s next opponent, Namibia, will be equally tough as they, too, are hoping to climb up the ranks.
Friday’s match in Polokwane will be a nail-biter for Kenyan fans and players alike, knowing that any outcome other than a win will eliminate them from contention for AFCON 2025. If the Harambee Stars manage to overcome Zimbabwe, they will still have to conquer Namibia next Tuesday, while hoping that Zimbabwe falters against Cameroon. This combination of results would propel Kenya to the continental competition in Morocco.
As they step onto the pitch, Kenya will be carrying the weight of their nation’s expectations, aware of the slim but tantalizing chance they have at qualification. With a sound tactical approach from coach Firat and the proven abilities of players like Olunga, the Harambee Stars are poised for a final, spirited attempt to secure their place at AFCON 2025.
