Harambee Stars will take on Zimbabwe on Friday evening in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa from 1900 hrs.This will be the last match of the fifth round in Group J which is also composed of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Brave Warriors of Namibia.Ahead of the game, Cameroon leads the pack with 11 points after five matches and already qualified for the tournament followed by Zimbabwe on eight points after four matches. Kenya is third with four points after an equal number of matches with Namibia fourth with a single point after five matchesEngin Firat blames Harambee Stars’ lack of goals on two players ahead of Zimbabwe clashThe chances of Kenya qualifying for the continental tourney are slim but still mathematically possible. Mozzart Sport looks at the possible permutations that would see Kenya qualify.Key points: Cameroon has 11 points from 5 games and has already qualified.Zimbabwe has 8 points from 4 games and will play Kenya and Cameroon in their last two games.Kenya has 4 points from 4 games and will play Zimbabwe and Namibia in their last two matches.Namibia at the bottom with a single point cannot qualify##NAJAVA_MECA_8501761##With the above, there are only three ways in which Kenya can qualify;Permutation 1The first permutation is for Harambee Stars to win both of its remaining games and hope that Zimbabwe lose to Cameroon in their last match.In this case, Kenya would finish with 10 points while Zimbabwe would be stuck at eight points, ensuring Kenya qualifies as the second-placed team in the group.Where to watch and Harambee Stars’ probable lineup against ZimbabwePermutation 2In the second permutation, Kenya would need to beat Zimbabwe and draw with Namibia and hope that Zimbabwe lose to Cameroon.In this case, a win against Zimbabwe would take Engin Firat’s boys to 7 points while Zimbabwe remains at 8 and then a draw against Namibia for Kenya and a loss for Zimbabwe against Cameroon would mean both teams finish the group stage with 8 points.##NAJAVA_MECA_8501782##Kenya would then qualify on the head-to-head basis as that is the tiebreaker in case of shared points.Permutation 3The third possible way for Kenya to qualify would be if they win both of their remaining matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia and Zimbabwe draws their final match with Cameroon.Olunga promises to put smiles on Kenyans faces after Zimbabwe clashIn this case, Cameroon would finish with 14 points, Kenya would be second with 10 points while Zimbabwe would be third with nine points and Namibia with one point.One thing is clear though in all these scenarios, Harambee Stars must win against Zimbabwe and then depend on results elsewhere if they are to compete in Morocco.
