Ahead of the win or burst tie against Zimbabwe, Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat will have no option but to deploy his best lineup in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.The clash is a must-win for Kenya if they are to resuscitate their hopes of punching a ticket to the biannual continental tourney.##NAJAVA_MECA_8494769##The mathematics is against Kenya with Zimbabwe occupying the final Group J qualification slot with Cameroon having already booked a place in the tournament slated for Morocco.The Warriors are on eight points, four more than Kenya in third place with a draw enough for Zimbabwe to join Cameroon in qualification.Olunga promises to put smiles on Kenyans faces after Zimbabwe clashThis leaves Firat with a head-scratcher as to who he fields to claim the much-needed victory following deflating back-to-back losses to Cameroon.In goal, Bandari FC custodian Bryne Omondi will be trusted with a start with Danish-based Daniel Anyembe likely to be slotted in at right back.##NAJAVA_MECA_8494829##At the heart of defense, Johnstone Omurwa and Joseph Okumu will be the most experienced centre-back pairing for Firat to pick.Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma will no doubt be deployed at left-back with the double pivot of Anthony Akumu and Richard Odada anchoring the midfield.2025 AFCON ticket on the line as Harambee Stars hope to extend impressive record against ZimbabweRooney Onyango will be patrolling the right wing while Duke Abuya will do the same on the opposite flank.With goals needed to win the tie, Firat might be tempted to go with the twin striking partnership of his returning captain Michael Olunga and John Avire who has a goal to his name in the qualifiers.##NAJAVA_MECA_8499451##The game is slated for a 7 PM (EAT) kick-off at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.Harambee Stars probable line up: Bryne Omondi (GK), Daniel Anyembe, Johnstone Omurwa, Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Rooney Onyango, John Avire, Duke Abuya, Michael OlungaAFRICA CUP OF NATIONS – QUALIFIERSWednesday Namibia – Cameroon 0-0Liberia – Togo 1-0 (0-0)/Sangare 83 pen/Chad – Sierra Leone 1-1 (1-1)/Thiam 34 pen – Dumbuya 29/Thursday Equatorial Guinea – Algeria 0-0Lesotho – Central African Republic 1-0 (0-0)/Mokhachane 51/South Sudan – Congo 3-2 (2-2)/Ezibon 31, 45+2, Elly 84 – Ibayi 26, 35/Burundi – Malawi 0-0Madagascar – Tunisia 2-3 (2-2)/Memmiche 20 og, Amada 45+3 – Rafia 6, Ltaief 39, Abdi 90+3/Rwanda – Libya 0-1 (0-0)/Saad Mohamed 84/Niger – Sudan 4-0 (3-0)/Sosah 6, 45+3 pen, Oumarou 29, Badamassi 51/Benin – Nigeria (1-0)/Tijani 16/Burkina Faso – Senegal (0-0)Friday 16.00: (2.35) Botswana (2.75) Mauritania (3.50)16.00: (2.95) Uganda (3.00) S.Africa (2.65)19.00: (2.60) Cape Verde (3.05) Egypt (2.70)19.00: (4.80) Eswatini (3.45) Guinea B. (1.80)19.00: (4.20) Mozambique (3.20) Mali (2.00)19.00: (3.90) Zambia (3.20) Ivory Coast (1.95)19.00: (2.60) Zimbabwe (2.90) Kenya (2.85)22.00: (3.20) Angola (3.10) Ghana (2.40)22.00: (5.40) Gabon (3.50) Morocco (1.72)Saturday 19.00: (3.30) Ethiopia (2.75) Tanzania (2.45)22.00: (2.45) Guinea (3.10) Dr Congo (3.15)***odds are subject to change***
