Sports CS Kipcumba Murkomen has urged the Harambee Stars to remain focused and good-spirited even after they fell 1-0 to Cameroon in their Afcon qualifier in their second Group J tie played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
The lone goal was scored by Boris Enow in the 63rd minute.
In their first group clash played on Friday, in Yaounde, the Stars were torn apart by the Indomitable Lions 4-1.
Kenya played her critical return leg fixture on foreign soil in Uganda owing to a lack of a CAF-accredited tuff on home soil.
Neither the Kasarani Sports Stadium nor the Nyayo National Stadium fits the bill.
But despite the back-to-back losses, Murkomen said the Stars still have a fighting chance and a realistic opportunity to qualify for the Afcon games, which will be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
“To Harambee Stars, we may have fallen 1-0 to Cameroon today, but our Afcon journey is far from over. There are many positives we can take from this match for our next game," Murkomen said on X moments after the match.
Following Monday’s second defeat in a row, the Stars lie third in Group J on four points, having drawn one game, won one, and lost two matches.
Cameroon top the table with 10 points having won three games and drawn one, five points ahead of Zimbabwe, who have drawn two and won one game.
Namibia are bottom of the group with no point having lost all their three games.
With just two games to go in the group stages, Murkomen believes that statistically, the Stars still have a fighting chance.
“With 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses, there’s still much to fight for. On to the next tie in November, unbowed. Great effort here, guys,” Murkomen said on X.
In their first group stage fixture, Kenya settled for a goalless draw with Zimbabwe in a tie played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, in Kampala, Uganda, on September 6.
In their second tie against Namibia, the game ended 1-2 in favour of the Stars on September 10, at the Orlando Stadium, South Africa.
Kenya’s remaining matches are against Zimbabwe on November 11 and against Namibia on November 19.
The return clash against Namibia will be a home game for the Stars, meaning it will either be played in Uganda or South Africa.
The rematch against Zimbabwe will be away game but Zimbabwe too have no CAF-certified stadium, meaning the fixture will be staged either in Uganda or South Africa as well.