Kenya vs Zimbabwe Match Analysis & Prediction
06/09/2024 4:00 pm
Kenya will begin their quest to qualify for a seventh Africa Cup of Nations tournament when they face Zimbabwe at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday evening.
The two teams have had an extra two days of rest after their encounter – initially scheduled to be played on Wednesday – was postponed by a further 48 hours.
Kenya were denied an opportunity to add to their six AFCON appearance having been banned by FIFA from participating in the last qualifying campaign due to govermental interference in footballing matters.
As a result, the Harambee Stars still await their first game on the continental scene since the 2019 edition, which ended in yet another group-stage exit in Egypt – a sixth in a row for Kenya.
Engin Firat’s side have been drawn in Group J of the AFCON qualifiers, where they will compete with Namibia, Cameroon and Zimbabwe for two spots at next year’s showpiece in Morocco.
Kenya are without defeat in six of their last seven matches across all competitions and now set out to win successive games for the second time since the turn of the year.
Zimbabwe were also banned by FIFA from taking part in the last AFCON qualifying campaign, denying them a shot at a fourth straight continental appearance after three successive group-stage exits.
Off the back of ending 2023 with three draws in a row, Zimbabwe have blown hot and cold since they turn of the year having won three and lost four of their seven matches so far.
Two of those four losses have come at the hands of Kenya, who first beat the Warriors 3-1 in March’s friendly game before securing a 2-1 victory in the COSAFA Cup four months later.
Heading into Friday’s contest, Michael Nees’ side are yet to win any of their World Cup qualifying matches and are already five points off the pace in Group C after just four rounds of games.
Kenya vs. Zimbabwe Head to head
In the previous four meetings between these two teams, Kenya have claimed three victories while they have drawn once.
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14/06/2008Kenya2Zimbabwe0CAF World Cup Qualifiers
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22/06/2008Zimbabwe0Kenya0CAF World Cup Qualifiers
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26/03/2024Kenya3Zimbabwe1Friendlies
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02/07/2024Kenya2Zimbabwe0COSAFA Cup
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06/09/2024KenyaN/AZimbabweN/AAFCON Qualifiers
Kenya Team News
Kenya’s Michael Olunga is doubtful for this game despite being included in the squad as he continues to battle with an injury that has seen him fail to feature since early August.
Collins Sichenje and Ian Otieno are both guaranteed absentees for this match as the pair sustained respective injuries during a training session.
Kenya's Last 5 Matches
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07/06/2024Kenya1Burundi1CAF World Cup Qualifiers
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11/06/2024Kenya0Cote d'Ivoire0CAF World Cup Qualifiers
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27/06/2024Zambia0Kenya2COSAFA Cup
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30/06/2024Kenya0Comoros2COSAFA Cup
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02/07/2024Kenya2Zimbabwe0COSAFA Cup
Zimbabwe Team News
Brendan Galloway has pulled out of the Zimbabwe camp and will not be able to add to his two caps after the defender recently sustained a hamstring injury.
Star attacker Khama Billiat is back in contention for the Warriors having sensationally announced his return to the international scene after a three-year absence due to retirement.
Zimbabwe's Last 5 Matches
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07/06/2024Zimbabwe0Lesotho2CAF World Cup Qualifiers
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11/06/2024South Africa0Zimbabwe1CAF World Cup Qualifiers
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27/06/2024Comoros0Zimbabwe1COSAFA Cup
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30/06/2024Zambia0Zimbabwe2COSAFA Cup
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02/07/2024Kenya2Zimbabwe0COSAFA Cup
Kenya vs. Zimbabwe: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Double Chance: Kenya or X
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