Kenya kickstarted her Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying campaign at home away from home as the country is currently struggling to have an approved stadium.
Their recent clash against Zimbabwe took place in Uganda, where the match ended in a frustrating draw. Defender Erick Ouma ‘Marcelo’, who plays for Raków Częstochowa in Poland, has spoken out about the challenges the team faces playing away from home and the impact it has on performance.
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Ouma who recently returned to the national team after battling injuries during a previous international break, voiced his disappointment, saying: “I’m disappointed that we are playing our games far away from home. Something needs to be done. You can’t even know which team is home or away. These are moments we should be enjoying with our fans. If we can’t enjoy it now with them, then when will we do that?”
The unusual circumstances of hosting a ‘home’ game in a foreign country have made it harder for the Harambee Stars to capitalize on the home advantage, which Ouma believes could have been the difference-maker against Zimbabwe.
“It has never happened, playing a home game away. If we played at home, we could have won. You need that energy from the fans – the 12th man. If you don’t get that, it becomes difficult,” Ouma emphasized, lamenting the absence of the passionate Kenyan support that typically lifts the team.
Looking ahead to the next fixture against Namibia, Ouma remains determined, confident that Kenya can still push for a crucial victory.
“Our expectation is going for the three points because it’s either we win or not. We are going there to win. Nobody goes away to lose. We have to be smart in how we play. If we go there with 100% attitude, then we are going to win,” he asserted.
As Kenya prepares to face Namibia on Tuesday, the hope is that the Harambee Stars can get that all-important win. However, until the stadium situation is resolved, the Harambee Stars may continue to face the uphill task of playing ‘home’ matches on foreign soil.
For fans and players alike, the longing to play on Kenyan turf remains strong, and Ouma’s words serve as a reminder of what is at stake in these crucial qualifiers.
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