Kenya’s Harambee Stars registered their first win in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign after defeating Namibia 2-1 at Orlando Stadium in South Africa on Tuesday.
After a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe in their Group J opener at Mandela Stadium in Uganda, Kenya coach Engin Firat made changes to his starting XI, this time giving strikers Jonah Ayunga and John Avire a start.
Against the Warriors, the Turkish tactician had opted to bench the three strikers in the squad – Ayunga, Avire and Benson Omalla – and starting midfielders Eric Johana and Duke Abuya.
It was Harambee Stars, who started on a high note with Rooney Onyango playing a good ball to Avire, but the former Sofapaka striker hit his effort straight at the hands of Brave Warriors goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua.
However, Onyango was booked in the 16th minute and four minutes later, Namibia’s Charles Hambira was yellow carded following a clumsy challenge. Kenya’s Anthony Akumu became the third player to enter the referees’ book in the 36th minute as Harambee Stars continued to search for the opener.
In the 41st minute, the Brave Warriors, who lost their group opener 1-0 against Cameroon, almost took the lead when Peter Shalulile found space inside Kenya’a danger zone but he shot wide with goalkeeper Bryne Omondi out of his line.
At the start of the second period, Harambee Stars continued to attack Namibia and their pressure was finally rewarded in the 58th minute when Avire found the back of the net for their first goal of the campaign. Immediately after the goal, coach Firat summoned his bench and introduced Kenneth Muguna for off colour Rooney Onyango.
Meanwhile, Namibia coach Collin Benjamin went for a double substitution, Moses Shidolo and Kennedy Amutenya coming out for Tjipe Karuuombe and Ngero Kaanjuka Katua. Goal scorer Avire was then yellow carded in the 68th minute as Kenya continued to search for the second goal.
Duke Abuya, who plays for Young Africans (Yanga SC) of Tanzania, doubled Kenya’s lead in the 76th minute after finishing off a well-laid cross from Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma. Avire was withdrawn for Aboud Omar in the 76th minute as the Brave Warriors missed an open sitter, Deon Hotto, failing to tap home a cross from Shalulile.
Kenya’s last substitution saw Ayunga rested for Victor Omune. In added minutes, Namibia pulled a goal back when Hotto slotted past Omondi. Despite Namibia’s efforts to salvage something from the game, the East African nation held on to pick a vital win that took their tally of points to four, while Namibia remained bottom of the group without a point.
Namibia starting XI: Lloyd Junior Kazapua, Riaan Hanamub, Kennedy Amutenya, Charles Hambira. Charles Hambira, Prins Menelik Tjiueza, Aprocius Petrus, Moses Shidolo, Bethuel Muzeu, Peter Shalulile, Deon Hotto.
Kenya starting XI: Byrne Omondi, Amos Nondi, Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, Joseph Okumu, Sylvester Owino, Antony Akumu, Rooney Onyango, Richard Odada, John Avire, Duke Abuya and Jonah Ayunga.