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Disappointment as Harambee Stars failed to secure a vital win against Zimbabwe ending their hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Kenya have failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-1 draw in their penultimate game of Group J against Zimbabwe.
Harambee Stars needed a win before their next game against Namibia and had to hope that Zimbabwe would lose to Cameroon in their final match, but their hopes were dashed by the South Africans.
Harambee Stars got off to a lively start as they moved the ball around nicely while searching for an early goal in order to unsettle the host.
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18:02 - 15.11.2024
Firat shakes up Harambee Stars line-up for crucial clash against Zimbabwe
Harambee Stars coach has made key changes to the lineup for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast, focusing on fresh strategy.
It should have been 1-0 to Engin Firat's men in the third minute when Michael Olunga received the ball inside the area but Teenage Hadebe came to Warriors' rescue as he recovered well to make a well-timed clearance.
Johnstone Omurwa came to the Stars’ rescue in the 15th minute, as he did well to clear Tawanda Maswanhise's strike from distance.
Zimbabwe took the lead in the 32nd minute with their first shot on target when Tawanda Maswanhise fired a thunderous shot past Byrne Omondi to make it 1-0.
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09:00 - 15.11.2024
Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma reveals Champions League ambitions for Polish club Rakow Czestochowa
Harambee Stars defender Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is keen to ensure his club Rakow Czestochowa secures European football to realise his dream of playing in the UEFA Champions League.
Stars had a clear chance to find an equalizer in the 37th minute but Rooney Onyango blasted his shot wide with Eric Otieno unable to connect on the right wing as the Zimbabwean defenders were caught out of position.
That proved to be the final bit of goal-mouth action in the half as the Warriors went into the locker room with a one-goal lead.
With Zimbabwe doing most of the attacking after the restart, Kenya looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Coach Engin Firat decided to refresh his attack and defence pulling out Aboud Omar and Joseph Okumu and introducing Duke Abuya and Charles Momanyi.
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18:32 - 15.11.2024
Yanga unveil new coach hours after sacking veteran tactician Miguel Gamondi
Tanzanian giants Yanga have wasted little time in finding a replacement for Argentine coach Miguel Gamondi who was sacked earlier on Friday following the unveiling of a new tactician.
Harambee Stars found their equalizer in the 52nd minute when Jonah Ayunga capitalized on a defensive error after the Zimbabwean goalkeeper spilled the ball, allowing Ayunga to pounce on the rebound before a Warriors defender could clear it off the line.
Zimbabwe opted for a change in defense at the hour mark, replacing Takwara with Godknows Murilwa, who should have given his team the lead three minutes later when he latched onto a cross from the left but rushed his shot and skewed the ball wide of the target.
Michael Olunga also missed out on a good chance, as Harambee Stars struggled to find a way back into the game – all while Zimbabwe looked to provide a threat on the counterattack.
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15:32 - 15.11.2024
Michael Olunga makes bold promise to Harambee Stars fans ahead of do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe
Kenya must beat Zimbabwe at all costs to keep their 2025 AFCON qualifying hopes alive.
Zimbabwe continued to frustrate the Stars attackers towards the end of the match and striker Divine Lunga was introduced by the hosts.
However, Harambee Stars goalkeeper Bryne Omondi was dominant in the air as he gathered Warriors long balls and crosses with time running out.
It was end-to-end in the dying minutes of the match, Harambee Stars were unable to the much-needed second goal against Zimbabwe as they were bundled out of the qualifiers with one match to go.
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11:30 - 15.11.2024
AFCON 2025: All the teams that have qualified for the Morocco tournament so far
On Thursday, six more teams secured qualification for AFCON 2025 joining an exciting lineup of African football giants.
How they lined up:
Kenya : Byrne Omondi, Joseph Okumu, Abud Omar, Johnston Omurwa, Amos Nondi, Daniel Ayembe, Eric Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Rooney Onyango, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga
Zimbabwe: Washington Arubi, Gerald Takwara, Peter Garan’anga, Teenage Hadebe, Jordan Zemura, Andy Rinomhota, Marshall Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Tawanda Maswanhise, Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat.
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