By Joe Aura, aurajoe6@gmail.com
YAOUNDE, October 11, 2024 – It was a night to forget for Kenya as they fell 4-1 to a dominant Cameroon side at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier saw the Indomitable Lions assert their superiority, leaving Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a precarious position as the race for Morocco 2025 heats up.
Who: Cameroon vs. Kenya What: AFCON Qualifier When: October 11, 2024 Where: Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde, Cameroon Why: Qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco How: Dominant display by Cameroon, led by goals from Bassogog, Mbeumo, and Aboubakar
Cameroon’s Commanding Performance
Cameroon came out of the blocks with intent, pushing Kenya onto the back foot early on. Christian Bassogog opened the scoring with a well-placed shot in the 12th minute, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance by the five-time African champions. Bryan Mbeumo doubled the lead before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Kenyans.
Vincent Aboubakar added a third goal in the 56th minute, all but sealing Kenya’s fate. A late goal from Bassogog completed his brace, rubbing salt into the wounds of Engin Firat’s men. Kenya managed to pull one back through captain Michael Olunga, whose powerful header gave the Harambee Stars a brief moment of hope.
Despite the defeat, Kenya’s captain Olunga remained optimistic, calling for unity among fans. “We are disappointed, but we must keep fighting. We still have games left, and we need to learn from our mistakes to bounce back,” said Olunga after the match.
What This Means for Group J Standings
The result sees Cameroon solidify their place at the top of Group J, enhancing their chances of securing a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament. For Kenya, the loss leaves them third in the group, making their next match against Cameroon on October 14 in Douala a must-win if they hope to keep their qualification dreams alive. With only three games remaining, the Harambee Stars must deliver to stay in contention.
Other Results from AFCON Qualifiers
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on October 11 produced several notable results across different groups:
• Group A: Madagascar 1-1 Gambia
• Group B: Gabon 0-0 Lesotho
• Group C: Egypt 2-0 Mauritania
• Group D: Benin 3-0 Rwanda; Nigeria 1-0 Libya
• Group E: Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Liberia
• Group F: Angola 2-0 Niger
• Group G: Zambia 0-0 Chad; Ivory Coast 4-1 Sierra Leone
• Group I: Mozambique 1-1 Eswatini; Mali 1-0 Guinea-Bissau
• Group K: Uganda 1-0 South Sudan; South Africa 5-0 Congo
• Group L: Senegal 4-0 Malawi
From Thursday, October 10:
• Group C: Cape Verde 0-1 Botswana
• Group E: Algeria 5-1 Togo
• Group F: Ghana 0-0 Sudan
• Group H: Congo DR 1-0 Tanzania
• Group J: Namibia 0-1 Zimbabwe
• Group L: Burkina Faso 4-1 Burundi
Samuel Eto’o’s Gesture Boosts Cameroonian Spirit
In an effort to galvanize local support, Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o Fils offered 500 tickets to students of a secondary school in Yaounde. The initiative added to the vibrant atmosphere in the stadium, contributing to a memorable evening for Cameroonian fans. Meanwhile, Kenya’s struggles with home-ground availability have seen them play more away matches, impacting their preparation and form.
As the qualifiers progress, all eyes will be on the return leg in Douala. Can Kenya turn things around, or will Cameroon continue their march to Morocco 2025? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the road to AFCON glory is heating up.