Namibia tie ends Kenya's failed 2025 Afcon qualifying bid

Kenya’s Harambee Stars will Tuesday conclude their disappointing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign with a ‘home’ match against Namibia at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo province in South Africa.

Both teams have missed out on qualification for the 2025 Afcon finals in Morocco, making this Group ‘J’ game more of a formality, as they turn their attention to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to resume in March next year.

Meanwhile, in another Group ‘J’ qualifier today, five-time champions Cameroon host Zimbabwe in Yaoundé. The two sides have already secured qualification, with the Indomitable Lions top of the group with 11 points, while Zimbabwe are second with nine points.

Kenya are currently third with five points, while Namibia are last with just one point. Harambee Stars’ hopes of qualifying for their seventh Afcon were dashed after a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at the 46,000-seater Peter Mokaba Stadium last Friday.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Kenya is in Group ‘F’ alongside reigning African champions Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Burundi, Gambia, and Seychelles.

After four matches, Côte d’Ivoire leads with 10 points, two ahead of second-placed Gabon, while Burundi sits third with seven points. Kenya, Gambia, and Seychelles follow in fourth, fifth, and sixth positions with five, three, and zero points, respectively.

Tuesday’s match between Kenya and Namibia will mark the eighth meeting in history between the two sides in an international football match. 

In their previous seven meetings, Kenya has won three times and lost four. Harambee Stars will be aiming to complete a double over Namibia after a 2-1 victory in the first leg at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on September 10, with goals from striker John Avire and midfielder Duke Abuya, while Namibia’s consolation goal was scored by Deon Kavendji in extra time. 

Since Kenya lacks a stadium that meets the required standards set by both Fifa and Caf to host an international match, Harambee Stars have been hosting their matches at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

However, due to logistical challenges, including limited flights from Polokwane to Johannesburg, the decision was made to host the match at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

“There is only one flight per day from Polokwane to Johannesburg. If we were to play in Uganda, Namibia would arrive earlier than us. With only three days between matches, we would be exhausted by the time we arrived in Uganda,” said Harambee Stars’ coach Engin Firat on Monday last week.

Firat will be without defender Joseph Okumu and midfielder Amos Nondi, who have left the camp due to injury and suspension, respectively. Skipper Michael Olunga is also a doubt after missing two training sessions.