“Consistently inconsistent.”Not my words, but nothing could have made more sense to what Harambee Stars were in 2024: giving you cause for promise early on, before grinding out the year to a disastrous climax, and one that potentially ushers in a new reason to hope and believe.It is simply who they are.In this piece, we look at some of the key highlights of the year 2024, albeit with plenty of reasons to look forward to the New Year.Sporting highlights Kenyans can look forward to in 2025Four Nations Tournament successWhat a way to kickstart a pivotal calendar year.Steel reeling from the lack of high competitive fixtures, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Malawi organized a mini-tournament in Lilongwe that ended up in Engin Firat’s men whipping the two other nations by an aggregate scoreline of 7-1, winning a prestigious piece of silverware.Everyone hoped that based on that triumph, and with big Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup Qualifying fixtures on the horizon, qualification was on the cards.Olunga hits treble as Harambee Stars win Four Nations Tournament title in MalawiAfrican champions eh?Following a 1-1 draw with Burundi days earlier, Harambee Stars defied the expectations – oh yes they do that alot – as they held newly crowned AFCON champions Ivory Coast to a barren draw in their temporary backyard in Lilongwe, Malawi.Anyone expecting premier players like Simon Andingra to cause havoc to the Kenyan backline met a ready Alphonce Omija, who as per those at the Bingu National Stadium, emptied the Brighton man from his pockets.Such was the nature of belief building up from the players and fans alike.2026WCQ: Harambee Stars hold African champions Ivory Coast to goalless drawCOSAFA Cup delightOpting to use a youthful squad – composed of U18s, U20s and U23s – Harambee Stars caught a few eyes as they stunned Zambia 2-0 before comfortably cruising past Zimbabwe with a similar score-line.Despite not making it past the group stages, the squad led by Ken Odhiambo put on a fantastic display, leaving many wishing that several impact players like Patrick Otieno, Sylvester Owino, Austin Odhiambo, Bryne Odhiambo and Amos Wanjala got more playing time. The youngsters, in hindsight, were the few positives of the year.COSAFA Cup: Kenya beat Zimbabwe but have to wait longer to find out semi finals fateUganda our homeFor no fault of their own, Harambee Stars were forced to seek AFCON Qualification in foreign territory.Mandela National Stadium in Uganda was deemed the perfect destination, with hope that its close proximity – largely in a financial sense – would translate to a sort of psychological advantage for Firat’s men.At the end of two largely uninspiring contests (one behind closed doors)? Nothing much. Zero wins.##NAJAVA_MECA_8606558##Namibia high On a particular Tuesday night in September, Harambee Stars, fueled by the indefatigable Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, found a way past Namibia 2-1 in South Africa, boosting their chances of getting to AFCON for the first time since 2019.Whilst Namibia were obviously undergoing a rebuild, they still remained an opponent worth worrying about, but Kenya, in a spectacular second-half, got an important win and in spectacular fashion.First, John Avire hammered a direct freekick into the net, before Duke Abuya rewarded Marcelo’s powerful run down the left with a goal past Lloyd Kazapua.Top of the group and on the way to Morocco then!Harambee Stars move top after securing second AFCON away qualifier win in 22 yearsSpain where s is silentThat is what you get when you trust them so much.No sooner had Firat taken credit of Kenya’s unbeaten streak in 2024, or lashed a few words to the non-believers, than his ship sunk – and in terrible fashion.Instead of standing up to African heavyweights Cameroon like they did against Ivory Coast, Kenya fell to their second heaviest defeat in a decade thanks to a 4-1 shellacking in Yaounde, before leaving a substitute unmarked to punish them by a single goal in the second-leg.Zimbabwe finding a way in that late October window meant all hopes were just an illusion heading to the last two contests.AFCON2025Q:Substitute Enow Takang sinks Harambee Stars in UgandaSuffering down SouthI was luckily there to witness it all.All permutations asked Harambee Stars to do themselves a favour and win their two ties against Namibia and Zimbabwe to book their tickets to the AFCON.Instead, Zimbabwe – who cleverly took their home tie to the closest city near their country (Polokwane) – frustrated Kenya’s faint efforts to snatch away an automatic second spot in Group J.Seemingly under the cosh, Zimbabwe took the lead through clinical Tawanda Maswanhise, and did not blink even after Jonah Ayunga had equalized.Three days later, there they were – devastated, stunned, and flat in their dead rubber against Namibia. So much for optimism huh?Harambee Stars to miss out on AFCON 2025 after draw with ZimbabweFirat taps outIt was well documented the tribulations Firat was under in 2024 – whether it was journalists always under his neck or the inability to win games when it mattered.It was why after promises of making AFCON, Firat looked indecisive and astonishingly troubled in front of the press in South Africa, and later decided to avoid the shame of walking back to a disappointed and furious country by flying back to Turkey.Engin Firat uncertain of future at Harambee StarsHis failure to honor his part of the bargain was one reason worth a sack, but Firat, often frustrated with unpaid salaries, took the decision to resign, later demanding millions from the new football administration.Engin Firat slaps FKF with huge financial demands, threatens FIFA moveRelief at last one might argue, but the question is who comes in to save face in a crucial 2025 that has on it: a CHAN tournament on home soil and the last phases of 2026 World Cup Qualification.
