Harambee Stars assistant captain Anthony Teddy Akumu says Kenya has all it takes to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year.

The former Gor Mahia and Kaizer Chiefs’ towering midfielder expressed his disappointment that the last time Kenya participated in the continental football extravaganza was in 2019, and he missed the opportunity to be part of the squad in Egypt.

“Personally, I missed Afcon in 2019, but I still have hope of featuring in the tournament. We have a big chance as a country because we have a great team and good support from our fans, and I feel if we push a little harder, we will qualify,” Akumu told People Sport.

Harambee Stars will begin their quest for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket against Zimbabwe tomorrow at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, with the match scheduled to kick off at 4pm local time.

Akumu, who has 60 caps for Kenya and is one of the senior players in the team, has been instrumental for the national side under the tutelage of Coach Engin Firat.

“It is another chance, and it feels great to be part of the national team. Preparations are in top gear, and everyone is psyched up for the challenge ahead of us. Our confidence is increasing because we have played a number of high-profile matches, both friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.”

He added, “We are taking these two matches with the seriousness they deserve. These two matches are very important for us in our qualification journey. We want to be at Afcon again, but we have to fight by winning our matches, and I believe it is possible to attain this target.”

All the players listed in the traveling squad have reported to camp in Kampala, except captain Michael Olunga, who is nursing an injury, and Timothy Babu, whose reasons for absence are still unknown.

Youngster Babu was expected to report to camp yesterday, but it did not happen. Concerns have arisen about his availability after he suffered a knock while on duty for his Swedish club, IF Elfsborg, against Molde in a Europa League playoff game at the Boras Arena a fortnight ago.

Babu was sidelined last Sunday when Elfsborg secured a 3-3 draw against IF Brommapojkarna in a league match.

Stade Reims central defender Joseph Stanley Okumu is the latest player to join the Harambee Stars’ camp in Kampala ahead of the showdown against the Warriors tomorrow.

Harambee Stars will have their last training session today at Namboole Stadium at 5pm, while the Warriors will train at 10am.