Harambee Stars players arrive in South Africa ahead of Zimbabwe test

By Peter Ochieng

The Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars players and members of the technical team arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday, ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match against Zimbabwe.

The squad will now travel to Polokwane, the venue of the Friday encounter.

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat protested the move by the Zimbabwe Football Association to stage the game in Polokwane, instead of the Orlando International Stadium in Johannesburg.

“I don’t know why the Zimbabwe Football Association chose the stadium because it is very difficult to reach the city itself,” he said as quoted by Tata Sports.

“To Johannesburg, we have a flight, but from there, we have to take a bus for around five hours to get to the stadium. It is also very difficult for us to have a domestic flight,” added the Turkish tactician.

Due to logistical challenges, the match against Namibia next week will also be played at the Polokwane Stadium.

Zimbabwe needs a win to book the 2025 AFCON slot in Morocco, while Kenya must beat Zimbabwe on Friday and Namibia on Tuesday next week to have mathematical chances of qualifying.

With wins against the two South African teams, Kenya will pray that Cameroon beats Zimbabwe in the final group to land a ticket to Morocco. 

Kenya and Zimbabwe managed a 0-0 draw in the first leg match played at the National Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda in October 2024.

Cameroon leads the group with 10 points, Zimbabwe has 8, Kenya 4 while Namibia is pointless.

Final Squad

Goalkeepers:

Byrne Odhiambo, Faruk Shikhalo, Ian Otieno

Defenders: Daniel Anyembe, Amos Wanjala, Amos Nondi, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Charles Momanyi, Eric Ouma, Abud Omar

Midfielders: Anthony Teddy Akumu, Marvin Nabwire, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Richard Odada, Austine Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Alfred Scriven, Leshan Mootian, Adam Wilson

Forwards: Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, John Avire