Harambee Stars were held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe in their opening Group J match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, played at Nambole Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday. Missing their injured captain Michael Olunga, the Stars struggled to create clear scoring opportunities against a side they had previously defeated 3-1 in March during a Four-Nation Tournament in Malawi.
Kenya’s best chance came in the 82nd minute when Poland-based Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma found space to shoot, but Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper made a crucial save.
Stars coach Engin Firat was forced into an early substitution when Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija limped off after a collision with teammate Bryne Omondi. Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat and Prince Dube posed consistent threats to Kenya’s goal, prompting several saves from Bryne Omondi to keep the Stars in the match.
In an attempt to bolster Kenya’s attack, Firat brought on John Avire for Eric Johanna midway through the second half, but the Warriors’ solid defense remained impenetrable.
The Stars will now head directly from Kampala to South Africa, where they will face Namibia in their second qualifier on Tuesday in Durban. Five-time champions Cameroon are the other competitors in Group J, with two spots available for the continental tournament to be held in Morocco.
