Harambee Stars’ AFCON 2025 Dreams Dashed After Draw with Zimbabwe 

Harambee Stars’ aspirations of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) came to an abrupt end following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe.

A Promising Start Fades

Kenya began the match positively, dominating the first half but struggling to convert their chances into goals.

In the 31st minute, just moments after Ronney Onyango squandered a golden opportunity, Zimbabwe struck first.

Goalkeeper Washington Arubi initiated a swift counterattack, leading to Tawanda Maswanhise scoring with a well-placed finish.

Zimbabwe took a slim 1-0 lead into halftime, but it was short-lived.

Just five minutes into the second half, Kenya equalized when Jonah Ayunga capitalized on a scramble in the box, slotting the ball past Arubi after Zimbabwe failed to clear their lines.

Missed Opportunities

Despite several attempts, Kenya could not find a winner in the second half.

The draw meant that Kenya needed victories against both Zimbabwe and Namibia to secure qualification for the tournament.

The last time Kenya participated in AFCON was in 2019, and they have only qualified for the tournament twice in the past 30 years.

The team’s back-to-back defeats against Cameroon had already dealt a significant blow to their campaign.

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After starting strong and topping the group following their first two matches, they found themselves unable to compete with the Indomitable Lions.

Looking Ahead

While this latest result ends Kenya’s hopes for AFCON 2025 qualification, there is some silver lining: Kenya is set to co-host the tournament in 2027.

This opportunity provides a chance for the national team to regroup and prepare for future competitions on home soil.

As Harambee Stars reflect on their performance and missed chances, fans will be hoping for a resurgence as they look ahead to hosting AFCON and building a stronger team for upcoming challenges.

Source: MSN