Matchday preview: Harambee Stars face Zimbabwe in a crucial AFCON qualifier

By Robert Mutasi

The stage is set for an eagerly awaited high-stakes showdown as Kenya's Harambee Stars will meet their Zimbabwean counterparts at Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa for a 2025 AFCON qualifier.

The match is set to kick off at 7 pm EAT this Friday, November 15, with its outcome quite crucial as far as Kenya securing a place in the set 2025 tournament goes.

This qualifier brings together two teams that are keen on leaving a mark in this year's AFCON campaign.

The Zimbabweans will be seeking to profit from the temporary home advantage as they host at home in South Africa due to the issues that have plagued their stadiums.

Their opponents, Kenya's Harambee Stars, led by an immensely talented squad and coaching staff, head into this match with a sense of urgency and an objective: to win and keep their AFCON qualification hopes alive.

For Kenya, the qualification journey has been a highs-and-lows thing. Moments of brilliance, which have showcased that they are a team capable of holding their own with the elite in Africa, have been seen.

But just a few setbacks have kept them in precarious positions in this qualification group, making this one a dicey encounter with Zimbabwe.

The team will need to pull together to ensure they do not falter in this one and can keep their quest for AFCON 2025 running.

Head coach Engin Firat has portrayed the importance of this match by urging his players to stay focused and execute their game plan.

He is likely to field a balanced team-a blend of youth and experience-against Zimbabwe's formidable lineup.

The Stars will once again look up to seasoned players like the captain, Michael Olunga, whose leadership and goal-scoring abilities are crucial, besides emerging talents like midfielder Richard Odada, who has been impressive with his recent performances. Zimbabwe, however, will not be a pushover.

The physicality and the tendency to break with quick attacks have made them an indomitable side several times in the past.

With their vocal supporters going across the border to support them even in South Africa, they mean business and will eye the win to edge themselves closer to qualification.

This will be an exciting contest, considering the fact that both teams are very aware of what is at stake.

While this match is going down at Peter Mokaba Stadium, each country's fans will be glued to their screens, hoping for a positive result.

This will be a win that revives qualification hopes for Harambee Stars and a needed boost in morale in Kenyan football to inspire the team in preparing for the next fixture against Namibia on November 19.

More than any ordinary qualifier, tonight's game represents the perfect avenue for Kenya to reaffirm their place among the continent's elite footballing nations.

Determined in team spirit and with crystal clear focus, Harambee Stars will give their best shot in this decisive match.