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VAL
Rains drenched the fields of Polokwane yesterday throwing both Kenya and Zimbabwe’s plans for crucial pre-match training into disarray as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifier on Friday.
Persistent downpours left the pitch waterlogged, forcing the Warriors to abandon their morning session, while Kenya’s Harambee Stars found themselves equally hampered by the uncooperative weather.
The former Harambee Stars full-back says the Turkish gaffer has gambled with the squad but failed to produce results and should there stick to the tried and tested.
Despite the soggy conditions, both teams remain hopeful they will get some time on the field today, but more rainfall is predicted, sparking concerns about how the conditions may impact their preparations and performance on Friday.
Forecasters predict that Friday’s weather could bring cloudy skies with intermittent showers, potentially turning the game into a physical, gritty battle under challenging conditions.
Stanley Wilson Omondi is set to make his European debut as AIK qualifies for the UEFA Conference League, showcasing Kenyan talent.
Zimbabwe coach Micahel Nees, ahs acknowledged the adverse impact the weather could have on the game.
“We’re doing everything possible to get the players ready, but the rains are certainly not helping. We’ll adapt as best we can, but it’s crucial we get some pitch time to avoid being underprepared,” he said.
While Kenya has a daunting path to AFCON qualification, requiring wins in both their final matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Warriors only need a single point to secure their spot in Morocco.
However, if they fail against Kenya, Zimbabwe would then need to defeat group leaders Cameroon in their final match.
The Warriors squad, which arrived in Polokwane in stages over the past few days, has assembled a strong team for the upcoming challenge, despite weather disruptions.
Key players including vice-captain Marshall Munetsi, who plays for Reims in France and Teenage Hadebe from the Houston Dynamo in the USA, arrived yesterday.
Zimbabwe have suffered a key injury blow ahead of their crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier against Harambee Stars in Polokwane.
Munashe Garan’anga, the towering Danish-based defender who recently overcame a long-term injury, also joined the squad after being cleared to play, dispelling initial concerns over his availability.
The Warriors’ technical team scrambled to arrange a video analysis session yesterday evening, compensating for the lost time on the field.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has urged caution ahead of crucial 2025 AFCON qualifiers fixtures against Zimbabwe and Namibia, highlighting the two team's quality.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan contingent is adjusting to the unfamiliar conditions and pushing to make the most of the limited training time they might have ahead of the crucial encounter.
A victory against Zimbabwe would keep the Harambee Stars’ AFCON dreams alive, leading them into their final must-win match against Namibia
