Zimbabwe will be hoping to book their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Kenya on matchday five of qualifying this Friday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

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After the bitter disappointment of being excluded from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Zimbabwe made an impressive return to the continental competition and can secure their participation in Morocco next year with a point or better in this match.

The Warriors have had a solid qualifying campaign to now, still unbeaten after the first four rounds, drawing their two September internationals before notching up back-to-back wins over Namibia last month.

One notable improvement the side have made under the guidance of Michael Nees, who took over as head coach at the end of July, has been their defensive solidity, having only conceded a single goal in this competition to date.

However, the Warriors' preparations for this match have not gone smoothly, as heavy rains swept across Polokwane this week, rendering their training pitch waterlogged, prohibiting any worthwhile exercises on Wednesday.

Still, needing just a point to progress and having several players in their squad who will be familiar with the environment and conditions due to plying their trade in South Africa, Zimbabwe will be fairly confident in their chances of punching their ticket to Morocco next year in this one.

Meanwhile, Kenya, like Zimbabwe, were disqualified from the AFCON for the last edition, but made a very promising start to this qualifying campaign, taking three points from their first two games in September.

Unfortunately for the Harambee Stars, though, they were pitted against the formidable Cameroon last month, and lost both matches against the Indomitable Lions, 4-1 on the road and 1-0 in their 'home' fixture, which was held in neighbouring Uganda.

As a result, defeat in this match will mark the end of their qualification hopes, while a draw or win will see the second-place battle go down to the final match of the group when they face Namibia, while Zimbabwe will travel to take on Cameroon.

Engin Firat's side have lost their last two games on the road and have a record of five wins and five losses in their 10 away games, but they have never been beaten by this opponent in five previous encounters, winning three and drawing two.

Zimbabwe possible starting lineup:

Arubi; Murwira, Garananga, Takwara, Zemura; Nakamba, Munetsi, Dzvukamanja, Musona; Billiat; Mapfumo

Kenya possible starting lineup:

Odhiambo; Anyembe, Okumu, Omurwa, Ouma; Akumu, Abuya, Odada, Onyango; Olunga, Avire