Harambee Stars will this afternoon take to the pitch to play Namibia in a dead-rubber AFCON 2025 qualification clash at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, bringing an end to what has been a disappointing campaign.The match will start at 5 PM local time.Kenya’s draw with Zimbabwe on Friday ending their’ chances of making it to Morocco.They remain third in Group J with five points, while Namibia, with just one point, are also out.Cameroon and Zimbabwe, who will face off in the other Group J game in Cameroon, have secured their places at the continental showpiece.##NAJAVA_MECA_8508826##Harambee Stars topped Group J after the opening two games, following a draw with Zimbabwe and a win over Namibia, but things went south when they suffered back-to-back defeats to Cameroon—a result that coincided with Zimbabwe’s back-to-back wins over Namibia—pushing Kenya to third place and eventually out of contention for a spot in Morocco.Coach Engin Firat has come under intense pressure after Harambee Stars were eliminated from contention for qualification. He will be keen on winning what could be his final game as Harambee Stars coach.FKF County Chairmen disclose reasons for supporting Petra/Mwendwa candidatureHowever, he will have to do without assistant captain Joseph Okumu, who was withdrawn just after the restart against Zimbabwe. Utility man Amos Nondi is also out after picking up two yellow cards.The team, however, will be boosted by the return of Richard Odada, who missed the Zimbabwe game due to suspension from an accumulation of cards.Firat admits that it has been hard to motivate the players ahead of the Namibia game after the Zimbabwe loss.”Honestly, motivating the boys has not been easy. Friday’s game was disappointing for them and for all of us, as we all wanted to go to AFCON,” he said in his pre-match interview on Monday.”The last two days have been focused on mental motivation and coming together to understand that in football, every day comes with its aims and sets of targets.”Michael Olunga among three Harambee Stars’ injury doubts ahead of Namibia clashHe added that he anticipates a tough game against the Brave Warriors, who he says will also be keen on finishing the campaign strongly, despite being out of contention for a place in Morocco.”When you look at Namibia, their team, and how they are performing in the World Cup qualifiers, we don’t expect a walk in the park,” Firat said.”The game will not be as easy as the first leg, as they also want to end their year on a positive note.”With Okumu out, Firat may decide to take a risk with highly-rated Kenya U20 captain Amos Wanjala, who has been impressive for the Kenya U18, U20, and U23 teams over the past year.Namibia coach explains significance of dead rubber clash against Harambee StarsTuesday16:00: (1.60) Cameroon (3.60) Zimbabwe (6.75)16:00: (2.30) Kenya (3.10) Namibia (3.40)18:00: (1.30) Egypt (5.20) Botswana (11.0)18:00: (2.45) Mauritania (3.10) Cape Verde (3.15)19:00: (2.90) Congo (3.05) Uganda (2.65)19:00: (1.25) DR Congo (5.40) Ethiopia (15.0)19:00: (2.20) Guinea B. (3.30) Mozambique (3.40)19:00: (1.07) Ivory Coast (12.0) Chad (28.0)19:00: (1.22) Mali (6.00) Eswatini (14.0)19:00: (1.25) South Africa (5.40) South Sudan (15.0)19:00: (3.45) Sierra Leone (3.15) Zambia (2.25)19:00: (2.95) Tanzania (3.00) Guinea (2.65)22:00: (1.18) Senegal (7.00) Burundi (16.0)***odds are subject to change***
