Former Harambee Stars defender Ricky Solomon has cautioned the team and management against underestimating their opponents in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.Kenya has been placed in Group J, alongside Namibia, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe. The Harambee Stars will be aiming to qualify for their first AFCON tournament since 2019.##NAJAVA_MECA_8213885##Solomon, who is also the Kenya Football Coaches Association (KEFOCA) Boss, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and giving due respect to all teams. Drawing from his playing days, Solomon noted that there are no easy games, and every match must be approached with maximum effort and concentration.“I have heard people saying that at least we have been placed in an easier pool, and I feel so bad. There is no easy pool in football. We must take each match with the seriousness it deserves lest we risk not qualifying for the games. I therefore urge the players and management to start preparations as early as now,” Solomon offered.The former Bandari FC defender further pointed out that countries like Zimbabwe have an influx of international players who bring a wealth of experience to their team, including Marshall Munetsi in France, Jordan Zemura in Italy’s Serie A, Tino Kadewere in Ligue 1, and Leon Chiwome in the Premier League with Wolves.Kenya defeated Zimbabwe 3-1 in the final of the Malawi Four Nations tournament and 2-0 in the COSAFA Cup 2024, and Solomon is confident they are preparing for a strong comeback.Former AFC Leopards midfielder targeting return to club football next seasonSolomon also expressed concern over Kenyans celebrating the national team’s goalless draw against Ivory Coast in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi last month. He believes celebrating a draw is accepting mediocrity and urged Kenyans to hold the team to a higher standard.“We have the potential to be a major force in African football, a giant, not a team content with the bare minimum. There is nothing to celebrate. This is football, and a draw is not a victory. Are we always expecting to lose? You cannot celebrate a draw. We are all equal. There is no superior team, and no team has an advantage. There are no top teams in the country. All teams can lose on a bad day,” he urged.Kenya will kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign against Zimbabwe’s Warriors at at on September 2. Their next match will be against Namibia in Windhoek on September 10.This will be followed by a two-legged duel against Cameroon, with the first match in Yaounde on October 7 and the reverse fixture in Nairobi on October 15.The Stars will conclude their campaign against Zimbabwe in Harare on November 11 before facing Namibia in Nairobi on November 19. The top two teams in the group will automatically qualify for the biannual tournament.Official: Ulinzi Stars coach Kimani departs club
