Harambee stars fall to Cameroon in AFCON qualifiers

Yaounde,

Friday, 11 October, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Harambee Stars suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in their third march of Group J at the 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on Friday night. 

The defeat was Firat’s heaviest defeat since he took charge of the team.

Cameroon took an early lead through Captain Vincent Aboubakar who converted from the penalty kick in just eight minutes of the game. 

Star's efforts to fight back were dealt to a double blow as Martin Hongla added the second for the hosts from the edge of the box following a fumble by Keeper Patrick Matasi. 

Three minutes later, Stars found a consolation when Eric Ouma’s freekick from the left landed on Michael Olunga’s run at the backpost, the latter directing the ball home.

Kenya’s hope for an equalizer was however shortlived as the hosts restored their two goal advantage through Brentford skipper Ryan Mbeumo who tapped the ball home from close range off a cross from Bassogog to make it 3-1.

As things were running out of control, Coach Firat made some tactical changes to try save more embarrassment by pulling out Amos Nondi for Joseph Okumu. 

The change seemed to make little help for helpless stars as Cameroon netted their fourth through Bassogog who capitalized an assist from Hongla to cement the victory for Cameroon.

Kenya now lies at the third spot at group J with four points after three matches following their win over Namibia and draw over Zimbabwe who sit at second with 5 points. 

Zimbabwe won their third match by 1-0 against Namibia on Thursday and will face Namibia on a return match in Harare next week while Kenya will play group leaders Cameroon on a return match next week. 

In other matches played on Friday, Uganda Cranes won 1-0 against South Sudan while Nigeria won 1-0 against Libya. 

Salah's goal led Egypt to 2-0 victory over Mauritius.