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Harambee Stars’ opponents have received a crucial fitness boost with the return of a key defender ahead of their decisive AFCON qualifier increasing the stakes for Kenya’s must-win match.
Zimbabwe have received a timely fitness boost with the return of crucial defender Munashe Garananga ahead of their must-win Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifier on November 15 in Polokwane, South Africa.
Garananga’s return will bolster Zimbabwe’s defense in a match that could determine Kenya’s AFCON dreams, as the two sides prepare for a showdown in the penultimate group stage fixture.
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Michael Nees, the head coach of Zimbabwe’s national team, expressed his delight at the defender’s return, especially in light of ongoing defensive challenges within his squad.
"We’ve faced a few setbacks in defense recently, but Munashe’s return is exactly what we needed at this stage,” Nees told reporters.
“His presence and experience give us a big lift, especially in a match of this magnitude.”
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The German coach, who has been highly dependent on Garananga in the defensive line, will be pleased to have him back just as Zimbabwe looks to secure their place in next year’s Afcon finals.
The lanky Denmark-based defender missed Zimbabwe’s recent back-to-back victories against Namibia due to injury and has also been sidelined in recent matches for his club, FC Copenhagen.
However, after being included as an unused substitute for Copenhagen’s Europa League clash against Real Betis and the Danish Super League game against Brondby, Garananga appears set for action and fully fit to take on Kenya.
His return could prove to be a game-changer as Zimbabwe seeks to solidify their Afcon qualification.
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Garananga’s return could not come at a better time for Nees and his squad, especially after another defender, Brendan Galloway, was ruled out of the remaining AFCON qualifiers due to an injury suffered during their previous outing against Namibia.
Nees now has a critical decision to make as he reshuffles his defense with Garananga’s return, which could significantly impact Kenya’s attack strategies.
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The 23-year-old Garananga, who has become an essential part of Nees’ tactical setup, is expected to resume his role as a defensive mainstay, keeping the Harambee Stars' forward line in check.
Zimbabwe sits in second place in Group J with eight points, two behind Cameroon, who have already qualified, while Kenya lags with four points.
For the Harambee Stars to have any hope of reaching the AFCON finals, they will need an impeccable finish to the qualifiers, securing wins against both Zimbabwe and Namibia in their remaining fixtures.
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Zimbabwe, however, only needs to avoid defeat against Kenya to secure their qualification, placing the pressure squarely on Kenya to produce a result.
Zimbabwe’s decision to host Kenya at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, as opposed to Johannesburg’s Orlando Stadium where they played Namibia, adds another element of strategy to the match.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) opted for the Polokwane venue following Nees’ request for a better playing surface, showing just how meticulous the coach has been in preparing for this high-stakes encounter.
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