Zimbabwe 1
Kenya 1
The Zimbabwe Warriors qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 after a one all draw against Kenya’s Harambe Stars.
The matchday five encounter was a tricky tie for the Warriors as a Kenya win could have jeopardized their qualification chances for the African jamboree next January. The Warriors needed a draw to qualify for AFCON 2025.
With only 3 minutes into the match Zimbabwe’s captain Marvelous Nakamba nearly gave the Kenyans a gifted goal when his back pass in a dangerous position put exposed the team. Nakamba had Teenage Hadebe to thank as he reacted quickly before the Kenyan striker pounced.
Goal Scorer, Tawanda Masvanhise
Kenya was more offensive in the early stages of the game as Zimbabwe conceded two corner kicks in the first 9 minutes of the game. The Warriors were failing to contain the Kenyans who were more aggressive and hungry for goals.
Kenya got another corner in the 22nd minute after pilling more pressure on the Zimbabwean defence line.
Khama Billiat who was playing in an unfamiliar position as a central striker spent all his time chasing the ball.
A first yellow card was given to a Kenyan defender after fouling Tawanda Masvanhise a few metres away from the Kenyan goal line.
Jodan Zemura was given the responsibility to take the free kick but his effort was blocked by the Kenyan wall.
Tawanda Masvanhise was finally rewarded for his efforts by making justice to Khama Billiat’s inviting pass in the 32nd minute.
Khama negotiated his way past two defenders from the left flank and spotted the on rush Masvanhise and squared it and Masvanhise responded very well.
He did not think twice he just made two steps and slotted it home for the Warriors first goal.
Kenya dominated the whole first half but they were failing in the final third.
With all the domination, Kenya never tested the Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi the whole first interval.
Kenya got a free kick in a dangerous position in the 43rd minute after defender Garan’anga unnecessarily fouled Kenyan striker.
Kenya made a double substitution 5 minutes into the second half.
Kenya made a come back a minute after the substitution.
Gerald Takwara made a schoolboy blunder and allowed the Kenyans to equalise.
He failed to clear the ball as he decided to head it instead of just using his right foot to clear the ball away from danger which was the easiest.Takwara injured himself in the process and was replaced by Godknows Murwira.
Kenya were let off the hook in the 60th minute after Zemura had spotted an on rush Masvanhise but only for Kenyan goalkeeper to produce his best save and punched it in back into play.
He used his legs to block Masvanhise’s header.
Masvanhise was substituted in the 70th minute and was replaced by Terrence Dzvukamanja while Divine Lunga replaced striker Walter Musona.
The Zimbabwe Warriors substitutions were meant to strengthen their defence.
After the introduction of the two Zimbabwe crawled back into the game.
Khama was now playing is in his familiar role and terrorizing the Kenyans
Jordan Zemura was pushed into the midfield while Divine Lunga was moved to the left back position.
The Kenyans tried everything to salvage the situation but failed to score the winning goal.
The AFCON qualification is the 6th time for the Warriors.
They qualified in these years: 2004.2006, 2017, 2019, 2021 and now 2024..
The Zimbabwe Warriors are back at the AFCON. Morrocco here they come.
