Kenya faced another setback in their quest for AFCON 2025 qualification as Cameroon defeated them 1-0 in their reverse fixture Kampala. This defeat further diminishes Harambee Stars’ hopes of securing a place in the prestigious AFCON tournament.
The match unfolded at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Uganda, where Kenya’s Harambee Stars struggled to capitalize on early opportunities. Despite a valiant effort led by star striker Michael Olunga, the team fell short against a determined Cameroonian side. With this loss, Kenya remains in a precarious position, now sitting in third place in Group J.
First Half Highlights
Harambee Stars started the game brightly, with Olunga testing Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, early on. Olunga’s powerful strike forced Onana to make a fantastic save.
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In a promising moment, Olunga had a chance to score but chose to pass to Duke Abuya. Unfortunately, Abuya was surrounded by defenders, leading to a wasted opportunity as he laid off the ball to John Avire, who fired wide.
In the 30th minute, Pierre Kunde nearly shocked Kenyan supporters with a powerful shot that went just wide. Cameroon thought they had taken the lead when Nouhou Tolo scored, but the goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime.
Second Half Tactical Changes
The second half saw both teams make tactical adjustments. Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat substituted Daniel Anyembe for Alphonce, aiming to boost the Kenyan attack. Cameroon responded by replacing Pierre Kunde with Boris Enow. The changes created more dynamic play, and both teams pushed for a breakthrough.
Cameroon soon created a significant opportunity when Ngadeu Michael connected with a free-kick. However, Kenyan goalkeeper Byrne Omondi proved his worth with a crucial save, keeping the score level. Despite this, Kenya struggled to maintain their momentum.
Cameroon took the lead in the 75th minute when Enow curled a stunning free-kick into the net. Omondi had little chance to react as the ball found its way past him. This goal marked a pivotal moment, putting Kenya on the back foot as they searched for an equalizer.
In the final minutes of the match, Harambee Stars intensified their efforts. Olunga had a promising chance to level the score but sent his shot wide after losing his balance.
Cameroon held on to secure a crucial 1-0 victory, strengthening their position at the top of Group J.
Kenya’s Road Ahead
With this defeat, Kenya finds itself in a difficult situation. They sit in third place with just four points, six points behind group leaders Cameroon and one point behind Zimbabwe, who play later today.
Kenya’s Sports CS urged the team to take heart as the journey is far from over.
“HarambeeStars, we may have fallen 1-0 to Cameroon today, but our AFCON journey is far from over. There are many positives we can take from this match for our next game. With 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses, there’s still much to fight for. On to the next tie in November, unbowed. Great effort here, guys,” Murkomen wrote on X.
