Kenyan forward John Avire has expressed his confidence that the Harambee Stars are well on their way to securing a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following their crucial 2-1 victory over Namibia. The win, achieved at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, propelled Kenya to the top of Group J with four points from their first two qualifying matches, significantly boosting their chances of progressing to the continental tournament.
Avire, who currently plays for Misr El Makassa in Egypt, was instrumental in Kenya’s success, scoring a brilliant free-kick in the second half that gave his team the lead. This was followed by a clinical finish from Duke Abuya, securing the crucial victory for Kenya. Namibia managed to pull one goal back, but the Harambee Stars held on for the win, which came on the back of a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe in their opening match of the qualifiers at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda.
A Boost in Confidence
After the match, Avire shared his excitement over the result and urged his teammates to remain focused on the long-term goal of qualifying for AFCON 2025, which will be held in Morocco. This would mark a return to the continental competition for Kenya after missing out on the 2022 edition.
“I’m beyond thrilled to have scored my first international goal, especially in such a significant match,” Avire said. “It was also my first time starting for the national team, and to come away with such an important win means a lot to me and the entire squad. We didn’t start as strongly as we would have liked, but we fought back, and in the end, we got the job done.”
The 25-year-old forward was quick to credit the leadership of Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga, who was absent due to injury. Avire emphasized that the team missed Olunga’s presence on the field, but expressed optimism that the star striker will return in time to help Kenya secure qualification.
“Olunga is such an important part of our team, and we really missed him during this match,” Avire added. “I believe if he had been with us, we could have scored more goals. He’s not just a great player but also an excellent leader, and we’re all hoping for his quick recovery. His presence will be vital for our campaign, and with him, I’m confident we can qualify for AFCON.”
ALSO READ
- Mastering Live Betting in Kenya: Your Ultimate Guide to Winning Strategies
- Why Samuel Onyango’s Return to Gor Mahia Could Be a Game-Changer for the 2024-2025 Season
- Harambee Stars Triumph Over Namibia to Top Group J in AFCON 2025 Qualifiers
Odada Echoes Avire’s Confidence
Avire’s confidence was shared by midfielder Richard Odada, who currently plays for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United. Speaking after the match, Odada acknowledged the pressure the team felt from Kenyan fans, who were eager to see the national team secure its first win of the qualifiers.
“We knew how much this win meant to our fans,” Odada said. “They were expecting us to deliver, especially after the draw against Zimbabwe. It’s always a privilege to represent your country, and it’s our responsibility to make the fans proud. While we missed Olunga, we’re hopeful he’ll be back in time for our next match.”
Odada expressed his optimism about Kenya’s next challenge—a doubleheader against Cameroon during the October international break. Despite Cameroon’s impressive record as five-time African champions, Odada believes the Harambee Stars have what it takes to secure all three points in both fixtures.
“We know Cameroon is a strong team with a great history in African football,” Odada continued. “But we’re not intimidated. We’re prepared to face them, and our goal is to get maximum points in both matches. Qualifying for AFCON 2025 is our dream, and we’re going to fight for it.”
The Road Ahead
Kenya’s upcoming fixtures against Cameroon are expected to play a critical role in determining the final standings in Group J. With only the group winners and runners-up securing qualification for the AFCON 2025 tournament, the pressure will be on the Harambee Stars to perform in both matches against the Indomitable Lions.
A win in either fixture could be enough to ensure Kenya’s place in the tournament, but the Harambee Stars will need to remain focused, as the other teams in the group, including Namibia and Zimbabwe, are also vying for qualification.
The last time Kenya qualified for the prestigious continental tournament was in 2019, when the AFCON was hosted in Egypt. The Harambee Stars will be hoping to build on their recent performances and return to the competition, where they aim to make an impact on the continental stage once again.
With players like Avire and Odada stepping up in crucial moments, and the potential return of Michael Olunga to lead the squad, Kenya’s path to AFCON 2025 looks promising. However, there is still work to be done, and the team will need to stay grounded as they prepare for the critical matches ahead.
Kenya’s AFCON qualification journey continues in October, when they face Cameroon in what is shaping up to be a pivotal encounter in their quest to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament.
