Round three of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations   qualifiers will see Cameroon Indomitable Lions and Kenya’s Harambee Stars   go head-to-head at the Japoma Stadium on Friday evening.

Both teams are without defeat after their opening two qualifiers, and victory for either side here would move them within touching distance of a place in Morocco.

© Imago

Cameroon failed to make their dominance count against Zimbabwe on September 10 as the teams played out a goalless share of the spoils at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium.

Despite boasting over 60% of the ball possession Indomitable Lion failed to muster an effort on target and could have easily come away empty-handed, but for the heroics of Andre Onana.

Picking up two wins and two draws apiece, the Indomitable Lions are unbeaten in four matches across World Cup and AFCON qualifying duties since their continental exit at the hands of Nigeria in late January.

Level on points at the top of Group J, Cameroon now have the opportunity to claim sole ownership of the group with two meetings against Kenya to come three days apart.

Friday’s hosts have fared well in this fixture historically, with no defeats from four prior encounters, albeit with the most recent encounter coming in a friendly encounter some 14 years ago.

© Imago

Having played out a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe to kick off proceedings, Kenya narrowly edged Namibia 2-1 to get themselves up and running in their second qualifying outing at the Orlando Stadium.

Engin  Firat’s men had their backs against the wall for large spells of the contest but delivered sucker punches through  John Avire and Duke Abuya   to claim all three points.

That was in keeping with a recent resurgence in 2024 for the Harambee Stars, who are unbeaten in eight of nine involvements across all competitions after ending 2023 on a rough patch.

Kenya have also recorded five clean sheets since the turn of the year and will need that defensive solidity to come to the fore when they take to the field on Friday.

Currently with their best chance of featuring at the AFCON for the first time since 2019, Friday’s visitors will be keen to mark their return to the continental scene next year before co-hosting the 2027 tournament.

Team News

© Imago

Bryan Mbeumo is in red-hot form at the moment, and the Brentford man—currently on a three-game scoring streak—will be looking to deliver the goods for Cameroon.

Skipper Vincent Aboubakar  sits just three goals shy of  Roger Milla  in second place on the hosts’ all-time scoring charts behind the legendary Samuel Eto’0.

Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe will have to wait a little longer for his international debut which continues to draw increasingly closer after the midfielder was named in his nation’s preliminary squad.

Kenya have been handed a huge fitness boost with skipper Michael Olunga   set to return to action after missing the opening two qualifiers injured.

Midfielder David Odeyo   has been handed his maiden call-up to the visitors’ senior team, while the exclusion of Benson Omala  remains the biggest talking point.

Cameroon possible starting lineup:
Onana; Nouhou, Wooh, Ngadeu, Tchatchoua; Baleba, Anguissa, Hongla; Bassogog, Aboubakar, Mbeumo

Kenya possible starting lineup:
Omondi; Owino, Okumu, Nondi, Omurwa; Abuya, Odada, Akumu; Avire, Olunga, Ayunga

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com