AFCONQ: Harambee Stars-Zimbabwe match details announced
Details for the Harambee Stars versus Zimbabwe match have been released ahead of the opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The match is scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2024, and will be hosted at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Harambee Stars-Zim clash
The match will take place at the newly refurbished stadium, which recently hosted the Rugby Africa Cup, due to the absence of a CAF-approved stadium in Kenya. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. East African Time.
#HarambeeStars vs 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) September 3, 2024
📆 Friday, September 6, 2024
🕐 4 pm EAT
🏟️ Stade Mandela National Stadium pic.twitter.com/V0nocTfmoC
The Harambee Stars squad arrived in Uganda on Monday to prepare for their 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia, scheduled for September 6 and 10, 2024.
The travelling team includes AFC Leopards players Levis Opiyo and Victor Omune, with Omune recently named Player of the Season for 2023/24. Also included in the squad are Sylvester Owino, Amos Nondi, and Eric Johana.
St. Mirren striker Jonah Ayunga returns to the squad after missing the previous international window. According to the Football Kenya Federation, Captain Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Eric Ouma, Joseph Okumu, and Richard Odada are set to join the team in Uganda.
Notable absentees from the final list include Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Kayci Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Patrick Otieno (KCB), and Clifton Miheso (AFC Leopards).
The Harambee Stars will face Namibia on September 10, 2024, in South Africa. Forty-eight African nations will compete in the qualifiers for the 35th edition of AFCON, aiming to challenge reigning champions Ivory Coast, coached by Emerse Faé.
The qualifiers, running from September to November 2024, will see the top team and runner-up from each of the eleven groups—excluding Morocco, the tournament host—advance to the finals.
The next Africa Cup of Nations will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Harambee Stars
Goalkeepers
Levis Opiyo, Patrick Matasi, Byrne Omondi
Defenders
Sharrif Majabe, Joseph Okumu, Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi, Abud Omar, Eric Ouma, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija
Midfielders
Chris Erambo, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Eric Johanna, Ronney Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma
Forwards
John Avire, Michael Olunga, Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omalla, Victor Omune