)
Harambee Stars end their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign in utter dissapointment, drawing 0-0 against Namibia, but how did the players fare?
Kenya’s Harambee Stars concluded their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign with a 0-0 stalemate against Namibia at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
The match, which took place on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon, reflected the underwhelming campaigns of both teams, who had already been ruled out of contention for the tournament in Morocco.
In a game that lacked cutting-edge moments, individual performances shone brighter than the overall team effort. Here’s a breakdown of how Kenya’s players fared:
)
18:00 - 19.11.2024
Toothless Harambee Stars end AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign with drub draw against Namibia
Harambee Stars were average at best as they held on to a less-than-inspiring 0-0 draw against Namibia's Brave warriors on Tuesday afternoon in South Africa.
Player Ratings
GK- Byrne Omondi -7
Arguably Kenya’s best player. Although he did not have much to do, his distribution was a joy to behold, as was his calmness and composure, as illustrated in the 82nd minute when he nonchalantly bypassed a press from a Namibia attacker. Also made a vital save to deny Vitapi Ngaruka’s long-range effort in the 56th minute.
CB-Johnstone Omurwa - 7
Generally looked solid throughout and was accurate with a majority of his passing. He was also a threat from setpieces on multiple occasions.
)
15:00 - 19.11.2024
Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee on who should take over as Harambee Stars coach should Engin Firat leave job
Engin Firat's future as Harambee Stars coach looks unclear following the side's failiure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, and Mulee has now opined who he thinks should be considered to take over the job.
CB-Daniel Anyembe -6
Stepping in at center back in the absence of Joseph Okumu, Anyembe was the quieter of the two center backs, and did not have a particularly outstanding display.
RB- Ronney Onyango -6
Starting in his preferred right back role, Onyango overlapped Duke Abuya when he drifted narrow on multiple occasions and provided dynamism and width from that flank, although it was a fairly okay performance from the Gor Mahia man.
LB- Erick Otieno -6
Erick ‘Marcelo’ Otieno was actually the busier of the two fullbacks on the afternoon. He paced up and down the flank, and tried cutting inside on multiple occasions whenever he lacked the room he needed to try and run with the ball down the left flank.
It was a generally okay-ish performance from the Poland-based wing back.
)
05:28 - 19.11.2024
Tactical naivety, litany of excuses & more: Why Engin Firat must be held accountable for Harambee Stars' failures
Engin Firat exuded confidence after Kenya topped their AFCON qualification group, sending a warning to Andre Onana and Cameroon, but once results went haywire, he became defensive.
CM- Anthony Akumu -6
The captain for the day, Anthony Akumu also did not have an outstanding display, generally recycling the ball in his half-back role.
CM- Richard Odada -6
Worked tirelessly in a box to box role. On occasions, he dropped deep to aid the build up and on other occasions, tried to create overloads in the opposition box, but it was another ordinary performance.
)
08:50 - 19.11.2024
Tom Alila proposes strategic alliance with three other candidates ahead of FKF presidential elections
Alila has proposed for an alliance with three other FKF presidential candidates in order to stand a chance of ending the Nick Mwendwa-led era following the county polls.
RM-Duke Abuya -4
Struggled as a right winger. He constantly was careless in posession and looked lost playing outside of his preferred attacking midfield position.
AM- Austin Odhiambo -5
Handed a second start in senior national team colours, Austin tried to make himself available to receive possession at every opportunity, but he struggled to find room to spray those killer balls he enjoys excecuting given how compact Namibia were.
LM- John Avire -5
Showed alot of endavour with his willingness to show grit, aggression and desire, but struggled to beat his man on several occasions before being subbed off for Daniel Sakari.
CF - Alfred Scriven -3
Starting as the center forward for the day, he struggled and fed off scraps before being replaced by Jonah Ayunga.
Subs
Daniel Sakari -6
Came on and tried to speed things up as a right winger occupying those half spaces - despite it being an unorthodox position for him - but it was not enough to influence the outcome of the game
Aboud Omar -N/A
Was brought on at stoppage time. Did not have a touch of the ball
Marvine Nabwire -N/A
Came on for his senior international debut with the main side, but never proved effective with the few minutes he was given on the pitch.
Jonah Ayunga N/A
Was brought on for Alfred Scriven but did not have much to do.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)