Harambee stars suffered a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in the second leg of their Afcon 2025 qualifier at the Mandela National Stadium, in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday.
Boris Enow’s long-range free kick in the 63rd minute was enough for the indomitable lions to complete a double over stars after their 4-1 win in the first leg in Doula on Friday.
The back-to-back losses mean Kenya will wait longer for their first win over Cameroon, who now boast of six wins and four draws against Stars.
Cameroon now also tops group “J” with 10 points, while Zimbabwe, who battle Namibia at 7 pm, are second with 5 points.
Stars are third with four points from four games, while winless Namibia are bottom with zero points. Kenya will be hoping Namibia beats Zimbabwe, to give them a slim chance to qualify, while Cameroon only needs a draw to book their slot.
Stars will battle Zimbabwe and Namibia in their last fixtures in November, and they must win both matches to stand any chance of grabbing at least a second spot to qualify for the Morocco 2025, tournament.
Kenya’s head coach, Engin Firat, made four changes from the team that lost in Yaounde, with Bryne Omondi replacing leaking Patrick Matasi, Joseph Okumu and Johnstone Omurwa paired at centre back, while John Avire started upfront.
Johnstone Omurwa and Okumu stood tall, repelling most of the Central African’s attacks, but could equally do nothing to stop the free kick. Stars were still outplayed in midfield, with Napoli man Zambo Anguissa dictating the pace as Antony Akumu and Richard Odada chased shadows.
Kenya saw little of the ball in the third quarter with creativity lacking, with Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana reduced to a spectator.
Afcon 2017 winning defender Michale Ngadue and Nouhou Tolo gave stars captain Michael Olunga no space knowing too well his aerial prowess, having scored the consolation in Doula.
Kenya's technical bench and players cried foul of dubious calls from the referee in the match played behind closed doors, but could not bury the half chances they got towards the end.