Kenya’s AFCON hopes dashed after Zimbabwe draw
By Rama Mohammed |
Kenya’s journey to qualify for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations ended on Friday night with a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Polokwane. Jonah Ayunga’s equaliser gave hope after Tawanda Maswanhise’s opener, but the Stars failed to find a winner. The result leaves Kenya third in Group J, four points adrift with one match left.
Kenya’s dream of playing in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco ended on Friday night after a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Polokwane. The result left Kenya four points behind Zimbabwe in third place in Group J, with only one round of qualifiers remaining, making it impossible to secure a spot in the top two.
Jonah Ayunga scored his first goal for the national team, equalising after Tawanda Maswanhise had put Zimbabwe ahead in the first half. However, Kenya struggled to create enough chances to secure the win they needed to stay in contention ahead of next week’s match against Namibia.
The performance has raised questions about head coach Engin Firat’s tactics. His decision to field two defensive midfielders and leave out a creative playmaker to support the attack of Ayunga and captain Michael Olunga has drawn criticism.
Kenya missed a golden opportunity in the 32nd minute when wingback Rooney Onyango found space in the box but blasted his shot over the bar. Zimbabwe capitalised immediately, with Maswanhise finishing off a quick counter-attack from a Khama Billiat pass to make it 1-0.
The first half was evenly matched, with both teams creating chances from defensive mistakes. In the fifth minute, Olunga almost capitalised on a poor backpass, but Teenage Hadebe’s last-ditch tackle denied him. Later, Kenya’s defence failed to clear their lines, allowing Walter Musona a chance, but Johnstone Omurwa’s timely block kept the scoreline intact.
In the second half, Firat made changes, introducing Charles Momanyi for Joseph Okumu and Duke Abuya for Abud Omar. The adjustments paid off briefly when Ayunga scored Kenya’s equaliser a minute later, reacting quickly after Olunga’s shot from an Eric Ouma cross was saved.
Despite the equaliser, Kenya couldn’t break down a resolute Zimbabwe defence, which settled for a draw to secure their qualification.
With Zimbabwe and Cameroon already through, Kenya will face Namibia next week in a match that holds no significance for Group J standings.
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