The absence of Michael Olunga was there for all to see as, a colour-less, Harambee Stars laboured for a barren draw against Zimbabwe in the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at Mandela Stadium in Namboole. Olunga, a reliable goal scorer for Stars over the years and the team captain missed the game thanks to an injury. His absence saw coach Engin Firat gamble by starting Eric Johanna, a natural midfielder as the centre forward, a gamble that did not pay off as he struggled to fill in the big shoes. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8318424##First halfFailing to start a striker was felt throughout as the team struggled to poke holes in the Zimbabwean defence and keep goalkeeper Washington Arubi busy. Stars had pretty decent build-ups but rarely threatened in the final third, begging the question of why the technical bench failed to start a forward from the three available. Austin Odhiambo had the first sniff at the goal in the fourth goal, curling the ball from outside the box but his effort, aimed at the furthest corner was way off the target.Stars were forced to an unwanted substitution in the 20th where Amos Nondi came in for Alphonce Omija who was stretchered off due to a knee injury. Omija, who before the incident had managed to keep Khama Billiat quiet, collided with goalkeeper Bryne Omondi as the pair attempted to block Jordan Zemura from poking the ball home. Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, was arguably Kenya’s best player in the half as he made three electric runs down the left wing but his deliveries were seemingly dealt with, partly, due to the lack of an out-and-out forward.Why Charles Okere is unsatisfied with Tusker’s season startZimbabwe, who were compact in midfield and did well in easing the pressure when in possession, had the best chances and two shots on target in the half, unlike Kenya who had none. Their clearest came in the 37th but Zemura failed to react quickly and tap the ball into an empty net after an attack left the Kenyan defence in sixes and sevens. His late shot was bell-blocked by the retreating defenders with Joseph Okumu clearing the ball to safety much to the relief of the home side. Yanga forward, Prince Dube, nearly gave Zimbabwe the lead in the 42nd minute after he was put through by Billiat but his hard-drilled shot stung Omondi’s palms.Second half The halftime pep talk was perhaps what the Stars needed to step up as the team stepped up and put in a spirited show after the restart. They would have easily tapped the ball in two minutes after Arubi made an awkward punch that fell on the way but he reacted swiftly, correcting what would have been a goalkeeping error, for the first corner of the game. Stars had a huge penalty claim in the 52nd minute after Odhiambo was brought down in the area by John Takwara but referee, Adalbert Diouf, waved the play on. Former Tusker Midfielder Apollo Otieno cries foul over unpaid dues by Dodoma JijiJust like was the case in the first half, the Stars were good at building from the back and whipping long balls but were poor in the final third. After the long and unsuccessful gamble, Firat finally brought in a forward in the 67th minute with John Avire coming in for Eric Johanna.Avire nearly had an instant impact as he registered the first shot for Kenya from the area but was blocked for a corner kick.Stars finally gave Arubi a serious task in the 82nd minute when Marcelo made a daring run into the area but his shot was well blocked by the advancing goalkeeper.Marcelo, took matters into his own hands, starting a neat exchange between him and Odhiambo, who released him with a well-weighted cross, but the final shot was blocked.
