Wenslus Murape
Kenya will take on Zimbabwe in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group J match at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda today.
Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
The Harambee Stars secured a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in their last match which was the 2024 Cosafa Cup Group B encounter played in South Africa on 2 July.
As a result, Kenya have won two of their last three matches across all competitions while the other game ended in a defeat to Comoros.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have been inactive since they lost to Kenya and they will be seeking revenge when they take on the Harambee Stars in Kampala. The defeat to Kenya ended the Warriors’ two-match unbeaten run across all competitions having registered two consecutive victories before losing to the East African side.
TEAM NEWS
Kenya were scheduled to host Zimbabwe at home, but their stadiums are yet to be approved to host CAF matches and captain Michael Olunga will now captain his nation in Uganda.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have been boosted by the return of Khama Billiat who recently came out of international retirement, while Divine Lunga will miss out due to an injury.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Kenya head coach Engin Firat:
“You saw Zimbabwe has no squad problems, all players are fit, all of them are back. Not only this, even players who didn’t come before,” Firat told Kenyan media.
“They come back, like Khama Billiat, who is a very good player, someone who stopped from retirement, and also other players with a new coach (Michael Nees).
“He [Nees] has the possibility to get them back, so they will come with a very strong squad, we know it. But we know this team also, so therefore it will be very tough, we will see.”
Zimbabwe forward Khama Billiat
“This call-up means a lot to me, to represent our great country, Zimbabwe against Kenya and Cameroon,” Billiat told the Zimbabwean Football Association media team.
“This is very important to me, and I hope we’ll do very well with our new coach. We are looking forward; he is a great man.
“It (the preparations) has been great so far, and we’re feeling confident.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Kenya and Zimbabwe have met 11 times across all competitions and the Harambee Stars have the upper hand in this rivalry.
The East African side have won six matches compared to the Southern African nation’s one win, and two teams have also drawn on four occasions – SuperSport.
Online Reporter