Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat faces significant selection challenges as Kenya prepares to face Namibia in a dead-rubber 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Peter Mokaba Stadium, South Africa, on Tuesday.Both Kenya and Namibia, occupying third and fourth positions in Group J, are already out of contention for next year’s AFCON in Morocco.The final group match now serves as an opportunity for both teams to end their campaigns on a positive note.##NAJAVA_MECA_8507678##Kenya will be without assistant captain Joseph Okumu and midfielder Amos Nondi, while captain Michael Olunga remains a major doubt.Okumu, the Stade de Reims center-back, suffered a groin injury during Friday’s draw against Zimbabwe and has since been released to return to his French club for specialized treatment.Head coach Firat confirmed the decision, stating, “We do not want the injury to worsen, so we have allowed him to go back to his club.”The defender has been plagued by injuries throughout the campaign, previously missing 39 days between September and October due to adductor pain.Michael Olunga reflects on Harambee Stars’ AFCON heartbreak, calls for infrastructure developmentFirat also ruled out calling up a replacement for Okumu, given the team’s elimination from AFCON contention.Midfielder Nondi, who plays for Ararat-Armenia, will miss the Namibia clash due to suspension after accumulating two yellow cards in the qualifiers.Nondi was booked in Kenya’s earlier matches against Cameroon and Zimbabwe.Meanwhile, Olunga, Kenya’s top scorer in the qualifiers, is battling a lingering injury and did not train with the squad on Sunday.The Al Duhail striker had his three-game scoring streak snapped against Zimbabwe and may miss his chance to add to his goal tally.##NAJAVA_MECA_8507704##Kenya started their qualification campaign promisingly, collecting four points from their opening two matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia.A draw and a win put the Harambee Stars in a favorable position to qualify for their first AFCON since 2019, having missed out in 2021 and been ineligible in 2023.However, consecutive heavy defeats to Cameroon in October derailed their hopes, leaving the team with an uphill battle. In their penultimate match against Zimbabwe on Friday, Kenya needed a victory to stay in the race.Tawanda Maswanhise’s first-half goal gave Zimbabwe the lead, but Jonah Ayunga equalized to secure a draw.My exit from Gor Mahia was ‘planned and premeditated’ – Neiva blames club politics and security concernsThe result confirmed Zimbabwe’s qualification, effectively ending Kenya’s chances of advancing and marking their absence from African football’s premier event for the third consecutive edition.Despite the setbacks, Firat can draw on a few positives. Dundee United midfielder Richard Odada is available for the Namibia game, and the match offers an opportunity for fringe players to prove themselves on the international stage.Kenya will look to close their campaign with a spirited performance, hoping to set a foundation for future competitions.Meanwhile, Namibia will aim to end their campaign on a high, having fallen short of AFCON qualification as well.
