Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said he is hopeful that Harambee Stars will qualify for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Murkomen is hopeful despite the national team going down 4-1 against Cameroon in Group J’s third matchday, which was held in Cameroon on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Despite the heavy defeat, the CS said he has spoken with the team and urged them to focus on what lies ahead and not to look back on what transpired in Yaounde.

“Sisi tuko na imani na Harambee Stars yetu kwa sababu tunaamini wako na uwezo ya kupambana hadi wa qualify for Morocco.

“Sasa nimewaambia mchezo wa jana umepita wajitayarishe kwa mchezo ujao,” Murkomen told the press.

Firat under criticism

After the defeat, which was Kenya’s first in the 2025 qualifiers, head coach Engin Firat has been blamed, especially after mistakes were seen. Patrick Matasi, the goalkeeper, has also come under criticism for two mistakes that gave Cameroon chances to score what looked like easy goals.

Former Thika United head coach James Nandwa has told Firat to take measures that will correct the mistakes seen in Cameroon.

“In the goalkeeping area, he [Firat] has to correct it; we are complaining all the time, saying the goalkeeper is not good enough. Why doesn’t he take the best goalkeeper? We have so many goalkeepers; do not complain and still field the same guy.

“Changing goalkeepers has an effect on the team, and it also depends on how you have trained them. Matasi could be good at stopping but maybe poor in his decision-making or playing out from the back,” Nandwa said.

Kenya will host the Indomitable Lions on Monday, October 14 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda for the second leg action.