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Harambee Stars will be taking part in AFCON qualification for the first time since 2019.
The Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars are eagerly anticipates their return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after missing out on the 2023 edition due to a FIFA suspension.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Johannesburg, South Africa, will host the qualification pathway draw on July 4, where Kenya will discover their opponents in the upcoming qualifiers.
Kenya's last participation in AFCON qualifiers was in 2019, where they were grouped with Egypt, Togo and Comoros.However, Kenya's absence from the 2023 qualifiers meant that only the remaining three teams in Group C participated.
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The upcoming qualifiers for AFCON 2025 will see 48 countries, including title-holders Ivory Coast and hosts Morocco, divided into 12 groups of four teams each.
The winners and runners-up of each group will advance to the 24-team finals. Morocco, as hosts, are guaranteed a spot in the tournament but will compete in the qualifiers for competitive match practice, leaving only one additional qualifying spot from their group.
The qualification matches are scheduled across three double matchdays: September 2-10, October 7-15, and November 11-19, 2025.
Adjustments and Tournament Timings
Originally planned for June-July 2025, the AFCON has faced scheduling challenges due to the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States.
Discussions are ongoing among CAF stakeholders to resolve the scheduling conflict, with considerations to potentially shift the tournament to early 2026. The AFCON, unlike other continental championships, is held biennially to maximize CAF income through TV rights and advertising.
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Historically, the AFCON has undergone adjustments in timing to mitigate weather-related issues, moving from mid-year tournaments to January-February slots.
These changes aim to avoid disruptions from torrential rain during host countries' seasonal periods. The tournament's scheduling also impacts players from European clubs, such as Mohamed Salah, who have to navigate between club commitments and national team duties.
As Kenya prepares for the AFCON qualifiers, Harambee Stars will look to capitalize on their opportunity to compete at the continental level once again.
The draw in Johannesburg will set the stage for an exciting journey towards qualification, offering fans and stakeholders alike a chance to rally behind their national team in pursuit of AFCON glory.
For more updates on the AFCON qualifiers and Harambee Stars, follow our Pulse Sports X account.
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