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Predicted Harambee Stars line up as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in their must-win 2025 AFCON qualifier in South Africa on Friday.
The Kenya national football team Harambee Stars will be facing Zimbabwe on Friday afternoon knowing they must win at all costs to stand a chance of qualifying for the continental showpiece while hoping other results will go their way.
Stars find themselves third on four points, a whole four behind the Warriors, who are second in group J, while Cameroon, who already sealed qualification, are top on 10 points.
As Engin Firat prepares to lead his charges out to try and salvage their campaign, here is our predicted starting line up we think he will likely pick for the clash taking place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa, which will kick off at 7:00 PM EAT.
GK- Byrne Omondi
Byrne Omondi has cemented himself as the side’s first choice goalkeeper during his eight caps for the national team.
His calm and composed nature, as well as exquisite distribution, reflexes, vision and command of area give him an edge over Patrick Matasi, who was unsurprisingly dropped for the window following his error-prone match against Cameroon last October.
Although Firat has also drafted in Farouk Shikalo and Ian Otieno to the side, we do not see them starting ahead of the Bandari goalkeeper.
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05:30 - 15.11.2024
Zimbabwe vs Kenya: Time & where to watch as Harambee Stars look to keep slim AFCON 2025 dream alive
Harambee Stars will face Zimbabwe in an AFCON 2025 qualifier in South Africa on Friday and here is all you need to know about the match and how to catch the action in Polokwane.
RB -Daniel Anyembe
Daniel Anyembe will be expected to start at right back for the tie in the absence of Alphonce Omija. Although Kenya Police’s Daniel Sakari is back in the side, Engin Firat has yet to give him a full cap, with his only two starts coming for the B side during the recent African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers against South Sudan.
Anyembe’s solidity and willingness to drop into the back three during build up being someone adept at playing center back will allow Eric Ouma to bomb forward and influence play in the final third.
CB- Joseph Okumu
Joseph Okumu is now fully fit and will be expected to start at center back.
CB - Johnstone Omurwa
Johnstone Omurwa will be expected to start at left center back for the tie, with his passing range crucial to Kenya’s deep build up.
LB -Erick Ouma
Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is by far the country’s best left back when fully fit and has stayed healthy during the campaign. The Poland-based defender will be expected to start ahead of Aboud Omar in the position, and his speed and crossing will be crucial towards helping Kenya get a result against the Warriors.
CM - Richard Odada
Richard Odada will be full of confidence after starting to get more minutes in Scotland for Dundee United.
The former Philadelphia Union man has been an ever-present fixture at the heart of Kenya’s midfield alongside Teddy Akumu, so we fully expect him to start.
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15:43 - 14.11.2024
Cardiff City defender Andy Rinomhota warns Harambee Stars ahead of crucial AFCON qualifier
England-born Cardiff City defender Andy Rinomhota has fired a warning to Harambee Stars as Zimbabwe prepares for a decisive AFCON qualifier, needing just a point to secure their ticket.
CM- Teddy Akumu
Teddy Akumu will be expected to partner Richard Odada in midfield unless he suffers an untimely setback before the clash.
RW - Ronney Onyango
Ronney Onyango will be expected to start at right wing given his excellent ability to influence the play in the final third with his pace, as well as his crossing ability.
LW - John Avire
In the absence of Masoud Juma and Ayub Timber, John Avire will likely get the nod at left wing. Known for his strength and aggressive manner of playing, the former Sofapaka man allows Harambee Stars to push higher up the pitch, like he did against Namibia in the first leg, as well as Cameroon in October.
He also netted a brilliant goal against Namibia during the first leg and will be expected to start the clash.
AM - Duke Abuya
Duke Abuya will likely get the nod in attacking midfield ahead of Austin Odhaimbo, the other attacking midfielder in the group due to his off-the-ball movement, which makes him a threat at finding spaces on the counter attack should Zimbabwe create those gaps.
CF - Michael Olunga
The captain is on a hot goalscoring streak for his club Al Duhail, and Kenyans will be hoping he can carry on that form onto the clash as Kenya will be hoping for a big win.
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