Mcdonald Mariga has outlined how Harambee Stars can overcome the challenge posed by Cameroon to boost their chances of qualifying for AFCON 2025.
The former Harambee Stars midfielder, who made history as the first Kenyan to win the UEFA Champions League, is optimistic about Kenya’s prospects in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Cameroon. Despite the Indomitable Lions’ strong reputation, Mariga believes that Kenya has the capability to secure a spot in next year’s AFCON finals in Morocco.
Mariga, renowned for his time at Inter Milan, emphasized that with proper support, Kenya can defeat Cameroon and book their ticket to the tournament. Speaking ahead of the critical doubleheader, he highlighted the importance of unity and morale in the team.
“The team has proven they belong at the top of their group, and they’ve played well to reach this point,” Mariga said. “At this crucial stage, what they need most is full support from the nation. With only a few matches left, the players must feel that everyone is behind them.”
One issue Mariga raised is the potential disruption caused by payment delays, stressing the importance of addressing these concerns to keep the players focused. He also dismissed the notion that Cameroon’s advantage of having players in top European leagues should intimidate Kenya.
“It doesn’t matter that many of their players are in Europe’s elite leagues,” Mariga explained, as quoted by Mozzart Sport. “Our boys are just as capable, and we’ve already shown we can compete with the best. Cameroon might be underestimating us, but that could be a mistake. They may see us as underdogs, but that’s why they should be cautious.”
Reflecting on his own experience with the national team, Mariga pointed out that poor travel arrangements have often been a major hindrance for Harambee Stars. In the past, long stopovers during travel have drained the team’s energy and affected their performance. He urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Sports to ensure smooth travel logistics, especially with the team set to play a crucial match in Uganda.
“The biggest issue we faced during my playing days was travel,” Mariga recalled. “We’d have four or five stopovers before reaching our destination, and that really takes a toll on the players. FKF and the Ministry of Sports need to make sure the team has direct travel so they can be well-prepared and rested.”
Mariga believes that mental resilience, not just technical skill, will be key to Kenya’s success against Cameroon. Despite the star-studded nature of the Cameroonian squad, he insists that Kenya’s players have demonstrated their strength by topping their qualification group—a clear sign that Cameroon should not take them lightly.
“Their team might have more famous names, but that doesn’t guarantee victory,” Mariga stated. “Our players have shown they can grind out results. We’re not going into this match just to participate; we’re going in to win. Cameroon will know they can’t underestimate us, especially seeing that we’re leading the group.”
Mariga’s confidence in the current Harambee Stars squad is fueled by his own experiences. In 2009, he came close to becoming the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League, but his move to Manchester City was blocked due to Kenya’s low FIFA ranking at the time. His younger brother, Victor Wanyama, eventually broke that barrier by playing for Southampton and later Tottenham Hotspur.
As the AFCON qualifiers approach, Mariga remains hopeful that the Harambee Stars can secure a historic win and prove their strength on the continental stage.
