Kenya’s Harambee Stars are gearing up for a pivotal clash against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
This highly anticipated match will take place on Friday at the Omnisports Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon, kicking off at 7 p.m. EAT.
It marks the first encounter between the two sides in 14 years, rekindling a rivalry that has historically favored Cameroon.
Harambee Stars head into this fixture at the top of Group J, boasting four points from their first two matches. A 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe was followed by an impressive 2-1 win over Namibia, positioning Kenya as the surprise frontrunner in a group featuring heavyweights like Cameroon.
Meanwhile, the five-time AFCON champions began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Namibia before being held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe.
This back-to-back set of qualifiers will be crucial for both teams’ hopes of securing a spot at the continental showpiece in Ivory Coast. The return leg will be played at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda behind closed doors, as Kenya continues to host its home matches in Kampala due to the absence of FIFA-accredited stadiums within the country.
A Longstanding Rivalry
For Harambee Stars, facing Cameroon has been a historically tough challenge. Kenya has failed to secure a win in their last eight encounters against the Indomitable Lions, with the most recent meeting occurring in 2010 during an international friendly in Nairobi, where Cameroon triumphed 3-1.
The rivalry stretches back to 1972 when Cameroon edged out Kenya 2-1 in the AFCON tournament held in Cameroon. Since then, Kenya has come close on several occasions, including two stalemates in 1997 during the AFCON qualifiers—a 0-0 draw in Kenya and a 1-1 draw in Cameroon. One of the more thrilling matches between the two came in the 1987 African Games, where the teams played out a 3-3 draw in Nairobi.
However, Kenya has struggled to get past Cameroon’s formidable defense and potent attack, as evidenced by their losses in other fixtures, including a 2-0 defeat in the 1990 AFCON in Algeria and a 3-1 loss in Nairobi during a 1984 international friendly.
Firat Optimistic Despite History
Despite this daunting track record, Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat remains optimistic about Kenya’s chances. Firat, who has seen his side go unbeaten in their last seven matches this year, believes that this is the perfect opportunity for Kenya to break the winless curse against Cameroon.
“We’ve had a great year, and the team is in good form,” Firat said. “Our away performances have been solid, and we’ve shown that we can handle tough opposition. Cameroon is a strong team, but I believe we have the talent to secure our first win against them.”
One of Firat’s key motivations is the return of several key players from injury. In their opening two qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Stars were missing seven players, including key midfielders and defenders. With a stronger squad now available, Firat is confident that Kenya can go toe-to-toe with the Indomitable Lions.
“It’s good to have a selection headache than an injury headache,” Firat remarked. “More players for me means more good options and a stronger bench that can change a game if things are not going according to plan.”
Kenya’s depth will be crucial as they face a Cameroon side known for their physicality and experience in high-pressure situations. Firat’s tactical approach, combined with the resilience the team has shown throughout the year, could be the formula Kenya needs to finally secure a historic victory.
High Stakes in Group J
The stakes couldn’t be higher as both teams look to cement their place in next year’s AFCON. With Kenya currently leading the group and Cameroon lurking just behind, these back-to-back fixtures could decide the fate of both nations’ qualification hopes. For Harambee Stars, a positive result in Yaoundé could put them on the verge of their first AFCON appearance since 2019.
While history may not be on Kenya’s side, the present offers hope. With a squad brimming with talent and a coach who believes in his team’s potential, Harambee Stars will be eager to end their long-standing drought against Cameroon and inch closer to a return to Africa’s biggest football stage.
