Former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani believes Kenya has a good chance of qualifying for the 2025 African Cup of Nations after Friday’s qualifiers’ draw.Kenya was placed in Group J alongside Cameroon, Namibia, and Zimbabwe for the qualifiers that commence in September.The tournament in Morocco will start in December 2025.Harambee Stars land favourable draw in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiersMany argue that Kenya has a chance of finishing among the top two teams in the group and securing an AFCON ticket.Kenya last featured in the tournament in 2019 when it was staged in Cairo, Egypt. They exited in the group stage after losses to Algeria and Senegal and a consolation win over neighbors Tanzania.Harambee Stars, pooled in pot 3 before the draw, will face two sides they were drawn against during the 2022 qualifiers: Cameroon and Namibia.The FIFA ban that saw Kenya thrown out of the previous qualifiers has since been lifted.Ambani, a former Harambee Stars forward and the technical director of KPL newbies Mara Sugar FC, observed that Kenya is in a favorable draw, and has a big chance of securing a place at the tournament.”I think this is a good group for us, and we have a great chance of advancing to the tournament,” he said.However, he warned that Stars cannot afford to make any mistakes, and must be at their best to secure a place in next year’s biennial tournament.”But that doesn’t mean it’s an easy group. We have to prepare well, approach the games properly, and aim for the win.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8191715##He further advised that Engin Firat’s men must pick a maximum of nine points in all the home games.In addition, he observed that Kenya must start its campaign strongly by winning at least the opening two qualification matches.”The key will be securing home wins and ensuring we get maximum points at home. Another crucial aspect is winning our first two qualifying games, as that will set the tone for the qualifiers. We have to do our best to earn points in those two games.””Cameroon looks like the toughest team in the group, but we do not have a very bad record against them, and so the boys should not approach the game with any fear. It is one that we can get maximum points from,” he added.
