Kenya coach bemoans Zimbabwe's Polokwane move for AFCON qualifier

By SABC Sport
12th November 2024

Kenya men's national football coach Engin Firat has expressed dissatisfaction with the Zimbabwe Football Association's decision to host their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match in Polokwane, South Africa.

Zimbabwe, lacking suitable stadiums to host CAF-sanctioned games, has opted to hold the crucial AFCON tie against Kenya's Harambee Stars at Polokwane's Peter Mokaba Stadium this Friday.

Previously, the Warriors have played their qualifiers at the Mandela Stadium in Uganda and Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Firat voiced concerns that traveling to Polokwane would disrupt his team's preparations.

"I don't know why they [ZIFA] chose the stadium because it is very difficult to reach the city itself," Firat said in an interview with Tata Sports.

"We have a flight to Johannesburg, but from there, we have to take a bus for around five hours to get to the stadium. It is also very difficult for us to arrange a domestic flight."

However, the drive from Johannesburg to Polokwane is actually closer to three hours, not five.

Due to concerns over travel fatigue, especially for Europe-based players, Firat traveled to South Africa with a majority of local-based players on Monday and expects the full squad to arrive by Wednesday.

"For our Europe-based players, it will be a long journey – they'll have to take a 15-16 hour flight to reach South Africa," he added.

"So, I think Wednesday is when we'll have all our players in camp, ready to train a day before the match."

In preparation for a home fixture against Namibia on Tuesday, 19 November, acting Football Kenya Federation CEO Patrick Korir told Mozzart Sport that they will also use the Polokwane Stadium.

This arrangement is expected to be more convenient than Uganda, where they have been hosting other home games.

Kenya is currently in third place with four points from four games in Group J of the qualifiers.

They must win both of their remaining matches to stand a chance of qualifying for next year's AFCON in Morocco. Zimbabwe sits in second with eight points, Cameroon leads with ten, and Namibia is in last place without any points.

READ: Broos confirms Bafana changes for crucial AFCON qualifiers