After a disappointing start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last Friday against Zimbabwe, Kenya’s Harambee Stars aim to get their campaign on track when they face Namibia in their second match at Orlando Stadium in South Africa.Like Zimbabwe and Kenya, the Namibia Warriors are hosting their matches in a foreign country due to the lack of a home venue that meets FIFA and CAF standards for international matches.Kenya and their coach, Engin Firat, enter this match with a tactical challenge following a poor performance that left fans and pundits frustrated with his game plan.After a 1-0 loss to five-time AFCON champions Cameroon on Saturday, Namibia are also seeking to recover and rise to the occasion##NAJAVA_MECA_8324928##This will be the first meeting between the two sides since September 2013, when the Harambee Stars won 1-0 at Moi International Sports Complex, courtesy of David Owino Odhiambo’s fifth-minute strike.Kenya is seeking their first AFCON appearance since 2019 when they were eliminated in the group stage after earning three points from a possible nine to finish third in Group C.This followed a disappointing run in the COSAFA Cup in July, where Kenya exited in the group stage despite securing six points from three matches, finishing second in Group B.Following Friday’s result against Zimbabwe, Firat’s men are now unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches across all competitions, with five wins, three draws, 17 goals scored, and six clean sheets since last November.5 key battles expected in Harambee Stars AFCON qualifier against NamibiaKenya ranked 108th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, must demonstrate their resilience at Orlando Stadium as they face a Namibian team that has won four of the last six meetings between the two sides since October 1996.Firat is expected to be without his longtime captain, Michael Olunga, and will likely introduce fresh faces up front after struggling against Zimbabwe, with Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omala, and John Avire as the options. Defender Alphonce Omija will be missed due to injury.On the other hand, Namibia lacked a cutting edge in front of goal in Saturday’s opening game against Cameroon, falling to a 1-0 defeat against the Indomitable Lions.After suffering a 5-0 loss to Angola in the 2024 COSAFA Cup final on July 7, Namibia has now lost back-to-back games for the first time since October 2021, when they were defeated twice by Senegal in their World Cup qualifying double-header.Diaspora talents called up to Harambee Stars: What happened next?Collin Benjamin’s side will now look to bounce back from their opening-day disappointment and get their qualifying campaign on track as they aim to secure consecutive AFCON appearances for the first time.Namibia booked their spot in the knockout stages of the 2023 AFCON in January after earning four points from three matches in Group E, finishing as one of the best third-placed teams before falling to a 3-0 loss against Angola in the round of 16 on January 27.The match kicks off at 7:00 PM.2025 AFCONq: Harambee Stars Coach Firat prepares for defensive battle against Namibia
