- Christian Bassogog ran the show as Cameroon beat Kenya 4-1 in the race to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Harambee Stars were the second-best side for large periods of the game as the five-time African giants put them to the sword
- The defeat now leaves Engin Firat’s men in a precarious position with only three games remaining to qualify for Morocco
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Harambee Stars’ pursuit of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a massive setback on Friday evening after they lost to Cameroon.
The qualifier match held at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde ended 4-1 in favour of the hosts, leaving Kenya in an unsure position after three games.
Source: Getty Images
Cameroon vs Kenya match report
The home side started the better of the two sides, quickly setting into their stride and exacting their dominance in the game.
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Cameroon’s head coach Marc Brys went with an offensive attack of the experienced duo of Christian Bassogog and captain Aboubakar starting alongside Bryan Mbeumo. Only Erling Haaland has outscored the Brentford man in the Premier League this season.
It didn’t take long for Bassogog to shake off his man before squaring the ball right across the Kenyan area. A miscued attempt by Mbeumo was blocked by Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, with the referee controversially penalising him for using his hand.
Aboubakar stepped up to take the resultant penalty, sending Patrick Matasi the wrong way to give the home side the lead in the 8th minute.
There was a nasty moment as Cristopher Wooh collided with Sylvester Owino inside Kenya’s penalty area. The former was stretchered off after lengthy treatment, with Jean-Charles Castelletto taking his place.
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The pressure racked up for Kenya with utility player Amos Nondi getting in the referee’s book shortly before Bassogog tested Matasi with a piledriver of a shot that left the Kenya Police goalkeeper needing treatment.
Matasi then suffered a moment to forget when he was caught out by a powerful Martin Hongla shot for Cameroon’s second.
Michael Olunga’s goal vs Cameroon
Michael Olunga temporarily halved the deficit with a beautiful header from a Marcelo free-kick. However, the Indomitable Lions restored their two-goal cushion after the restart, with Bryan Mbeumo having the easiest of tap-ins from a Bassogog cross.
Kenya’s head coach, Engin Firat, rang some changes after the break, withdrawing Nondi for Joseph Okumu.
In the 55th minute, Hongla dispossessed Anthony Akumu near the halfway line before making a lung-bursting run to tee up Bassogog for Cameroon’s fourth goal of the night. With the game getting out of Harambee Stars’ reach, Firat brought on John Avire for Timothy Ouma.
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What next for Harambee Stars?
Kenya will only have a few days to rectify the wrongs as they play Cameroon again on Monday in Uganda. Stars are now third in the group with four points, one behind Zimbabwe in second and three behind Cameroon, who are now on seven points.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
