Kenya’s AFCON 2025 qualification hopes took a heavy blow as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at home.
Despite a spirited effort from Harambee Stars, a single goal from Boris Enow proved to be the difference in the match. This result leaves Kenya’s AFCON dreams hanging by a thread, as they now face a steep uphill battle to secure qualification.
The tension was palpable at the stadium as both teams knew the stakes were high. From the first whistle, Cameroon pressed hard, while Kenya fought back with equal determination, but luck seemed to desert them at crucial moments.
A Battle of Missed Opportunities
Kenya started the match with energy, creating early chances, with Michael Olunga leading the attack. His early shot from outside the box in the 6th minute was well saved by the Cameroon goalkeeper.
This set the tone for what would be a frustrating night for the Harambee Stars, who managed to create several chances but couldn’t find the back of the net.
One of Kenya’s best chances came in the 54th minute when Olunga struck a left-footed shot from the center of the box, only for it to miss the target.
Moments later, Rooney Onyango’s effort from the right side hit the post, leaving Kenyan fans with their heads in their hands. The woodwork had denied Kenya a crucial lead.
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Cameroon Takes Advantage
Cameroon, on the other hand, capitalized on harambee stars’ missed chances. After a tight first half that ended 0-0, the breakthrough came in the 63rd minute.
Boris Enow’s left-footed shot from a free kick found the bottom corner, leaving the Kenyan defense and goalkeeper with no chance.
The goal was a heartbreaker for Kenya, as it came just when they seemed to be finding their rhythm.
Cameroon continued to threaten, with Vincent Aboubakar and Christian Bassogog causing problems for the Kenyan defense.
Aboubakar missed a golden opportunity in the 60th minute, firing wide from close range, but it was Enow’s goal that would ultimately decide the match.
Kenya Fights Till the End
Even after conceding, Harambee stars didn’t back down. Coach Engin Firat made several substitutions to inject fresh energy into the team. Jonah Ayunga and Alphonce Omija were brought on to add more attacking power, and Kenya nearly found an equalizer in the dying minutes.
In the 90th minute, Joseph Okumu’s headed pass set up Omija for a chance, but his header went just wide of the target. The Harambee Stars pressed hard in the final moments, but Cameroon’s defense held firm.
The match ended with Kenya pushing for a goal, but they couldn’t break through, leaving fans and players devastated.
Key Moments and Controversies
The match wasn’t without controversy. Kenya’s frustration was evident as two players, Erick Otieno and Richard Odada, were shown yellow cards in the 76th minute for what appeared to be harsh tackles.
Cameroon’s Jean-Charles Castelletto also received a booking late in the game for a bad foul on Olunga, but Kenya couldn’t capitalize on the resulting free kick.
Injuries also disrupted the flow of the match. Christian Bassogog went down in the 73rd minute, causing a delay, but he was eventually substituted as Cameroon sought to protect their lead.
What’s Next for Harambee Stars?
This result puts harambee stars in a tough position in their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign. With more challenging fixtures ahead, Harambee Stars must regroup and find a way to turn their chances into goals. Their inability to capitalize on key moments, especially Olunga’s missed opportunities, will need to be addressed if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Cameroon, on the other hand, will be pleased with their performance, securing a vital three points that bring them closer to AFCON 2025 qualification.
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