In summary:
- Kenya and Zimbabwe will face off in Uganda on Friday for their first Africa Cup of Nations qualification match.
- Zimbabwe, aiming to avenge their recent loss to Kenya in the COSAFA Cup, will be looking to make a statement against the Harambee Stars.
- Kenya holds the upper hand in their historical encounters against Zimbabwe, with six wins and four draws in eleven meetings.
Kenya and Zimbabwe will play their first Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification match at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda on Friday.
It kicks underway at 3:00 p.m.
Harambee Stars defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in their last game, which was the 2024 COSAFA Cup Group B match played in South Africa on July 2.
Kenya has thus triumphed in two of their previous three games in all competitions, with Comoros winning the other.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has not played since losing to Kenya, so when they play the Harambee Stars in Kampala, they will be looking for retribution.
The Warriors had won two straight until falling to the East African team, which put an end to their two-match winning streak in all competitions.
Kenya was supposed to play Zimbabwe at home, but their stadiums haven’t been given the go-ahead to host CAF games; thus, Michael Olunga will now lead his team in Uganda.
While Divine Lunga will be sidelined owing to an injury, Zimbabwe has benefited from the comeback of Khama Billiat, who recently came out of international retirement.
“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.
“The comeback of Khama Billiat, who is a very good player, someone who stopped from retirement, and also other players with a new coach, Michael Nees.
“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.”
While Zimbabwe forward Khama Billiat said, “This call-up means a lot to me to represent our great country, Zimbabwe, against Kenya and Cameroon,”
“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.
“The preparations have been great so far, and we’re feeling confident.”
There have been eleven meetings between Kenya and Zimbabwe in all competitions, with the Harambee Stars holding the upper hand.
In addition to the one victory for the Southern African nation, the Kenyan squad has won six games and drawn four times.
