Kenya and Zimbabwe played to a goalless draw in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, a match held at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. The Group J opener marked the beginning of what is expected to be a fiercely contested qualification campaign, but neither team could find the back of the net. Kenya, despite controlling possession for most of the game, struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, executed a more conservative approach, relying on counter-attacks to create their few scoring chances.
Kenya’s Home Ground Challenges
Harambee Stars were forced to play their home game at a neutral venue in Uganda due to the absence of a stadium in Kenya that meets the international standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. This has been an ongoing issue for Kenya, affecting their ability to enjoy the traditional home-ground advantage that is crucial in such important fixtures. The lack of a suitable home venue is a significant hurdle for the team as they aim to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite this challenge, the Stars put on a commendable performance, dominating possession throughout the match. Coach Engin Firat, who fielded a strong lineup that included captain Michael Olunga, defender Johnstone Omurwa, and midfielder Timothy Ouma, was visibly frustrated by the team’s inability to break down Zimbabwe’s defense.
Early Chances but No Breakthrough
Kenya started the match on the front foot, showing intent from the opening whistle. Eric Johanna, one of Kenya’s most creative players, was quick to test Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi with a powerful shot from outside the box. However, Arubi was equal to the task, keeping his side in the game early on.
Shortly after, Antony Akumu found himself with a golden opportunity to put Kenya ahead. The midfielder rose to meet a cross unchallenged, but his header was too tame and allowed Arubi to make an easy save. That would prove to be one of Kenya’s best chances of the match.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, played cautiously, sitting deep and looking to catch Kenya on the break. Their main attacking threat came from Prince Dube, who was isolated for much of the game but posed a constant danger when given space.
A Physical Encounter
The match saw its first major stoppage in the 20th minute when Alphonce Omija collided with Kenya’s goalkeeper Bryne Omondi. Omija was unable to continue and was replaced by Amos Nondi. This injury briefly disrupted Kenya’s flow, but they quickly regained control of the game.
Zimbabwe had their best chance of the first half late on when Jordan Zemura’s effort was blocked by Joseph Okumu. The clearance prevented what looked like a certain goal, as Omondi had already been beaten by the Zimbabwean attacker.
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Second Half Frustrations
The second half saw Kenya come out with renewed intensity as they pushed hard for a goal. Austin Odhiambo came close to breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a long-range strike, but his effort was well blocked by Zimbabwe’s Godknows Murwira, who marshaled his defense superbly throughout the game.
Harambee Stars continued to probe Zimbabwe’s backline, with substitute Jonnah Avire coming closest to finding the net. Avire latched onto a pass from Eric Ouma, but his shot narrowly missed the far post. It was another frustrating moment for Kenya, as they found themselves unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
Zimbabwe, for their part, remained compact and disciplined in defense, absorbing Kenya’s pressure and looking to hit on the counter. Khama Billiat had a chance to steal the win for the visitors when he fired a powerful shot from outside the area, but his effort flew over the bar.
Late Drama and Missed Opportunities
As the match entered its final stages, both teams had chances to win it. Zimbabwe’s Maswanhise forced a fine save from Brian Omondi with a long-range shot in the 77th minute, while Kenya continued to press for a winner. However, Zimbabwe packed their defense, making it difficult for the Stars to find any clear-cut openings.
In the dying minutes of the match, Zimbabwe threw men behind the ball, successfully frustrating Kenya’s attempts to break through. Substitute Prince Nxumalo could have stolen the game for Zimbabwe in the final seconds, but the South African referee waved away a penalty appeal, much to the relief of Kenya.
What Next?
The goalless draw leaves both Kenya and Zimbabwe with a point each from their opening match in Group J. While a draw is not the worst result for either team, both will need to improve their finishing if they are to advance from what promises to be a competitive group.
For Kenya, the lack of clinical finishing in front of goal remains a concern. Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, the Harambee Stars were left frustrated by their inability to convert. Coach Engin Firat will need to address this issue ahead of their next fixture.
As for Zimbabwe, they will be satisfied with the point away from home but will know they need to offer more going forward if they are to make an impact in the qualifiers.
The road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is long, and with upcoming matches in Group J, both teams will be looking to build on this result to boost their qualification hopes.
