Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has been ruled out of Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations dead rubber match against Namibia.The Stade de Reims centre-back was hooked off on Friday during the match against Zimbabwe at Peter Makoba Stadium in Polokwane City after suffering a groin injury.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Engin Firat’s game plan cost Harambee Stars 2025 AFCON berthHarambee Stars head coach Engin Firat confirmed that the player has been released and will return to France on Sunday to link up with his club for specialised treatment.“We do not want the injury to be aggravated and so we have allowed the player to go back to his club,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8507015##The French-based player has been hit by injuries for the better part of this campaign, missing for 39 days between September and October due to adductor pain.Firat confirmed he will not call up any player to replace the injured Okumu with only the match against Namibia remaining in the qualifiers.Zimbabwe coach puts huge tag on Michael Olunga while singing his praises“We shall do with what we have since it is just one match remaining in this campaign and it is a good opportunity to give others that chance,” he said.Okumu captained Harambee Stars in Kenya’s first two games in Group J against Zimbabwe and Namibia respectively in the absence of captain Michael Olunga and was a key figure who led the team to get four points.##NAJAVA_MECA_8502153##The former Chemelil Sugar defender had missed the last three games for his club also due to injury.Kenya stands no chance of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON following the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on Friday.
