Harambee stars miss out on 2025 AFCON qualification after draw against Zimbabwe

Friday, 15 November, 2024 

By McCreadie Andias 

Kenya's Harambee Stars will be absent from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco after a 1-1 stalemate with Zimbabwe on Friday, a result that left Kenya third in Group J behind leaders Cameroon and Zimbabwe.

The draw marked a heartbreaking conclusion to Kenya’s qualifying campaign, which fell short of delivering the much-coveted ticket to AFCON for their fans.

Zimbabwe's Tawanda Maswanhise, who plies his trade with Motherwell in Scotland, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. The forward received a precise assist from fellow star Biliant and slotted home with composure, putting Kenya under immediate pressure.

However, the Harambee Stars displayed resilience and mounted a spirited comeback after the break. In the 52nd minute, Jonah Arunga of St Mirren leveled the scoreline, giving Kenyan supporters a brief glimmer of hope.

Despite a determined effort and intense pressure throughout the second half, Kenya could not find a winner. The draw left them with only five points from their five group matches, four points shy of Zimbabwe’s nine, ensuring Zimbabwe’s passage to the continental tournament alongside group leaders Cameroon. Namibia trailed the group standings with a single point after five matches.

The Harambee Stars' campaign showed moments of promise, notably their lone victory, a 2-0 triumph over Namibia. However, losses to both Cameroon and Zimbabwe earlier in the group stage proved costly, ultimately sealing their fate.

The outcome has reignited discussions around the team’s future and areas for improvement, with fans and analysts urging a renewed focus on consistency and tactical resilience ahead of future campaigns.

The AFCON qualification miss extends Kenya’s wait for a meaningful impact on the continental stage, but for now, attention turns to rebuilding and strengthening their squad for future challenges.

Kenyan football supporters will hope this setback serves as a stepping stone towards brighter performances in the years to come.