COSAFA Cup 2024: Kenya eliminate disjointed Zimbabwe

𝗭𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘄𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗔 𝗖𝘂𝗽

Kenya 2-0 Zimbabwe (Austin Odhiambo 51′ ; Benson Omala 69′)

PRETORIA – Kenya eliminated Zimbabwe national team out of the 2024 COSAFA Cup with a 2-0 win in the last match of Group B and ensured they qualified to the semi-finals while Comoros topped the group.

Warriors interim coach Jairos Tapera did his best at the tournament by winning the first two games but luck was not on his side against the Harambee Stars who have proven thorn in the flesh for Zimbabwe over the years.

Zimbabwe’s journey in the COSAFA Cup ended with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Kenya in their Group B match at Wolfson Stadium in South Africa on Tuesday.

The Warriors, who needed at least a draw to progress to the semifinals, were undone by second-half goals from Kenya’s Austin Odhiambo and Benson Omala.

Despite starting the tournament strongly with victories over Comoros and Zambia, Zimbabwe failed to maintain their form against the Harambee Stars.

**FILE:** Zimbabwe interim Jairos Tapera speaks to the media before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers match against Lesotho.

The match saw the Warriors initially struggling to break down a well-organized Kenyan defense.

The first half was relatively quiet, with the Harambee Stars only creating one notable chance which they couldn’t capitalize on.

The breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Odhiambo, a standout performer for Kenya, scored with a sublime finish from an acute angle.

The goal, which was a result of a brilliant solo effort, put the Harambee Stars in the driver’s seat.

As Zimbabwe pushed forward in search of an equalizer, they were caught out again in the 69th minute.

A long ball from the Kenyan defense found Benson Omala, who scored his first goal of the tournament to double the Harambee Stars’ lead.

Kenya’s victory saw them move to second place in the 2024 COSAFA Cup Group B, securing a strong position to advance to the semifinals as they await confirmation as one of the best second-placed teams.

Comoros topped the group with a 1-0 win over Zambia, leaving Zimbabwe in third place and out of the tournament despite their promising start.