The journey towards the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is always filled with excitement, drama, and a rollercoaster of emotions for Kenyan football fans. With Kenya’s Harambee Stars striving to qualify for the prestigious tournament, their quest for AFCON 2024 has already showcased moments of hope and resilience, while setting the stage for more thrilling action in upcoming games.
Games Played So Far
Kenya vs Zimbabwe (0-0)
Kenya began their AFCON qualification campaign with a home game against Zimbabwe on September 6, 2024. It was a tightly contested match that ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams struggling to create clear goal-scoring opportunities. Rodgers Odada received a yellow card for Kenya, while Khama Billiat and J. Takwara were booked for Zimbabwe. Despite the draw, the Harambee Stars showed good defensive discipline, setting a positive foundation for the rest of the qualifiers.
Namibia vs Kenya (1-2)
Kenya faced Namibia away on September 10, 2024, in a crucial game to gain momentum in the group. J. Avire opened the scoring for Kenya in the 57th minute, followed by D. Abuya, who netted a second goal in the 76th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for Kenya. Namibia managed to pull one goal back through D. Hotto in added time (90′ + 4), but Kenya’s resilience and counter-attacking play ensured they came away with all three points. J. Avire received a yellow card for Kenya, while N. Katua was booked for Namibia.
Cameroon vs Kenya (4-1)
The Harambee Stars traveled to face a strong Cameroon side on October 11, 2024. Unfortunately, Kenya struggled against the formidable opponents, ultimately losing 4-1. Michael Olunga managed to score Kenya’s lone goal in the 41st minute, but Cameroon’s offensive prowess, with goals from V. Aboubakar (penalty, 8′), M. Hongla (39′), B. Mbeumo (43′), and C. Bassogog (55′), proved too much for the Stars. Despite the loss, the experience provided crucial lessons for the team moving forward.
Kenya vs Cameroon (0-1)
Kenya hosted Cameroon again on October 14, 2024, aiming to make amends for the earlier heavy defeat. In a hard-fought battle, Cameroon managed to edge out Kenya with a 1-0 victory, with B. Enow scoring the only goal in the 63rd minute. E. Otieno and R. Odada received yellow cards for Kenya, while J. Castelletto was booked for Cameroon. Despite the loss, Kenya showed a much-improved defensive effort, keeping the game close until the final whistle.
Games Yet to Be Played
Zimbabwe vs Kenya
Kenya will travel to face Zimbabwe on November 11, 2024. This away match will be crucial for the Harambee Stars as they look to gain valuable points and keep their qualification hopes alive. Zimbabwe will be a challenging opponent on their home turf, and Kenya will need to be at their best to come away with a positive result.
Kenya vs Namibia
Following that, Kenya will host Namibia on November 15, 2024. This home fixture will be decisive in determining Kenya’s chances of making it to AFCON 2024. With Namibia being direct rivals for a qualification spot, Coach Engin Firat and his team will need to capitalize on the home advantage to secure all three points. The support from Kenyan fans will be vital as they rally behind the Harambee Stars.
Kenya’s Chances of Qualification
With a few matches left, Kenya’s chances of qualification are still very much alive, though there is little room for error. The Harambee Stars will need to capitalize on their home advantage and avoid dropping points in upcoming away fixtures. The experience of players like Michael Olunga and Joseph Okumu will be crucial, as will the contributions from young talents who bring energy and unpredictability to the team.
The support of fans is also a major factor—Kenya’s football faithful have always been known to bring an electric atmosphere to games, and this time is no different. With strong support and consistent performances, Kenya could very well find themselves booking a ticket to the prestigious AFCON tournament.
Conclusion
The Harambee Stars have shown flashes of brilliance so far, and while there have been setbacks, the team’s fighting spirit remains intact. As they prepare for the final stretch of the qualifiers, the dream of reaching AFCON 2024 is still very much alive. With the right mentality, support, and a bit of luck, Kenya could make it to the biggest stage of African football once again.
Let’s rally behind the Stars and cheer them on as they fight to bring glory to the nation. Go Harambee Stars!
