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Kenya suffered a second straight defeat to Cameroon, denting their hopes of sealing qualification to 2025 AFCON.
Harambee Stars' hopes of sealing qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations were dealt a huge blow as Cameroon beat them 1-0 in Kampala on Monday afternoon.
The talismanic Michael Olunga led the line for Harambee Stars as head coach Engin Firat opted to retain the Al-Duhail man who was a doubt for the fixture.
The Turkish tactician opted to start Byrne Omondi in goal following Patrick Matasi's disastrous display in the first leg in Younde last Friday.
Stars started well with Olunga asking questions of Cameroon's shotstopper Andre Onana with a beautiful strike but the Manchester United man responded in kind to deny the big man.
First half - Olunga misses big chance
Stars had an amazing opportunity to go ahead when Olunga found himself with goal in sight but opted to pass to Duke Abuya, who found himself in traffic but was intelligent enough to lay it off to John Avire running on his blindside, but the former Sofapaka man hit it wide.
Abuya was lucky not to be sent off after he was booked in the 25th minute for a high tackle on Napoli's Andre-Frank Zambo-Anguissa
Stars kept on piling the pressure, but it was not enough to make them break the deadlock.
Cameroon found their rhythm on the half our mark, and in the 30th minute, Pierre Kunde left Kenyan fans momentarily in shock when busrt through the middle of the Stars backline to test Omondi, but his low-drilled shot went just wide off target.
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The Indomitable Lions thought they had pulled ahead when Nouhou Tolo foud the back of the net after a beautiful through ball set up for him, but it was ruled out, leaving both sides sharing the spoils heading into the break.
Second half - Stunner freekick sinks Kenyan hearts
Both teams started the second half with changes as Firat opted to bring on Alphonce for Daniel Anyembe, while Cameroon replaced Pierre with Boris Enow.
Cameroon had another billiant opportunity to score when Ngadeu Michael managed to manouver his way far post and get on the end of a freekick, but Omondi was true to his task keeping the visitors at bay.
Harambee responded in kind with Ronney Onyango beautifully driblling past his man, before unleashing a venomous strike that hit the post, leaving a shattering noise that echoed through the near-empty stadium.
This moment would come to bite them in the back, as Cameroon broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Enow curved a delicious left-footed freekick into the back of the net Omondi would have done little to prevent.
Firat responded almost immediately, subbing on Amos Nondi and Timothy Ouma for John Avire and Duke Abuya respectively.
The Indomitable Lions kept Harambee Stars at bay with the Kenyans desparately loking for an equaliser to get back in the game.
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The Kenyans efforts nearly paid off nearing stoppage time Olunga found another chance to test Onana but sent his shot wide as he lost balance and went to ground.
Cameroon saw out the game to deny Kenya any chance of a comeback and seal the win to cement their place at the top of the table in group J.
Kenya now find themselves in third place with 4 points, 6 adrift the summit and 1 behind Zimbabwe in second who play later today.
Starting line up
Starting XI: Patrick Matasi, Eric Ouma, Sylvester Owino, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Michael Olunga, Ronney Onyango
Subs: Geoffrey Ochieng, Adam Wilson, Joseph Okumu, Chrispine Erambo, Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Collins Sichenje, John Ochieng, John Avire, Alfred Scriven, Alphoce Omija, Jonah Ayunga
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