Kenya’s national football team is set to suffer another classic case of ‘so close, yet so far’ as far as qualifying for major tournaments is concerned – unless something huge happens.

At the start of the October international break, Harambee Stars had their own destiny in their own hands in the journey to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

After a draw and a win, Kenya sat joint-top with Cameroon ahead of the doubleheader against the African giants. Decent results in the two games could have reaffirmed the belief that Kenya would return to the continental stage for the first time since 2019.

AFCON 2025 qualification standings

But the desired results didn’t come through. A 4-1 defeat in Yaounde followed by a 1-0 loss in Kampala and all of a sudden, Kenyan fans are staring at an all-too-familiar script.

FT

🇰🇪 0-1 🇨🇲#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/wSJGLfRUqf

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) October 14, 2024

The result against the five-time African champions wasn’t made better by Zimbabwe’s double haul over Namibia. Group J now has Cameroon at the top with 10 points and an already assured spot in Morocco next year.

Zimbabwe is second with eight points with Kenya further back with four points. Namibia have already been eliminated with zero points so far.

How Kenya can still qualify for AFCON 2025

Now, this is where it gets tricky for Kenya; Zimbabwe only need a point from their remaining two games to make it through. They will host Kenya before going away to Cameroon.

“After four games and back-to-back defeats against Cameroon, it puts Kenya in a very difficult situation. Cameroon have already qualified; Zimbabwe only need a draw against Kenya to qualify,” says journalist Dollar SM to TUKO.co.ke.
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Engin Firat and his side have now been reduced to expecting favours from elsewhere to book a ticket to Morocco.

“Kenya’s only hope is that they win the remaining two matches and Cameroon beat Zimbabwe.”

Should Engin Firat remain as Harambee Stars head coach?

Speaking of Firat, Dollar argues that the Turkish tactician has run his course with the national team and that there is an urgent need for change.

“Firat has run out of his depth. There is nothing new he is offering us at the moment aside from off-pitch theatrics.”

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Speaking after the game, Firat acknowledged the dire situation Harambee Stars are in ahead of the November games.

“Our plan was not to come out without points against Cameroon. We did not also expect Namibia to lose three matches considering that they were at the AFCON earlier in the year. It complicated the group further. We have to win the remaining matches so as to qualify,” he said, as quoted by Mozzart Sport.

Onana sent to Ten Hag by Ugandan fans

TUKO.co.ke has also reported that Onana was sent to Erik ten Hag with a clear message.

Onana was mobbed by fans upon his arrival in Uganda for the rematch against Kenya.

A Ugandan man, who identified himself as a Manchester United fan, asked Onana to tell Ten Hag to produce better results.