Rabat – Kenya and Namibia will meet today for their final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. Both teams have already been eliminated from Group J, making this a match for pride rather than progress.
Kick-off is at 2 p.m. at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa. Fans can catch the action live on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
Kenya enter the fray as slight favorites. They beat Namibia 2-1 in Johannesburg earlier in the campaign and have shown flashes of resilience despite their AFCON struggles. Namibia, on the other hand, are winless in six matches and have only scored twice in their last seven outings.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars managed a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe last week, ending their slim qualification hopes. Head coach Engin Firat was frustrated with the team’s setbacks, including not playing home matches in Kenya for three years. “We don’t have fans, support, or even proper training fields,” he said.
Namibia’s Brave Warriors have also faced difficulties, staging their “home” games in South Africa. Despite a tough campaign, they forced Cameroon to a 0-0 draw last week, earning their first point in Group J after four consecutive losses.
For Kenya, striker Michael Olunga is the standout. With 30 international goals, he’s closing in on the all-time record held by William Ouma. For Namibia, Peter Shalulile remains a key figure. His recent club form has been strong though he’s yet to score for Namibia in 2024.
Predicted Lineup
Kenya: Odhiambo; Anyembe, Okumu, Omurwa, Omar; Akumu, Nondi; Onyango, Ayunga, Ouma; Olunga.
Namibia: Maova; Kamberipa, Eib, Hambira, Katua, Hanamub; Tjiueza, Ngaruka, Petrus, Hotto; Shalulile.
The game is expected to be a tight contest. History favors Kenya, who have won three of their last five meetings with Namibia.
Predicted Score
Kenya 1-0 Namibia
While the stakes are low, both teams will look to end their campaigns on a high note.
