In a tightly contested match, Zimbabwe and Kenya played out a goalless draw in their opening 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda on Friday. Both teams, placed in Group J, struggled to find the back of the net despite creating several scoring opportunities.

After the match, Zimbabwe’s coach shared mixed feelings about the outcome. “When you play a goalless draw, you’re caught in between. On one hand, you want to win the first game, but on the other, you have to be satisfied defensively since we didn’t concede a goal,” he said.

He noted that the team started slowly, possibly due to the excitement and pressure of making a fresh start in football, which seemed to weigh on the players’ legs early on.

Coach Nees acknowledged that the team faced some issues on the right side but was pleased with how the players grew in confidence as the game progressed. “There’s still a lot of room for improvement, no doubt,” he admitted, praising the team for anticipating Kenya’s tactics but emphasizing the need for better pressing to avoid getting overplayed by the strong-running Kenyan side.

The coach highlighted key moments where experienced players, Khama Billiat and Washington Arubi, made crucial saves, crediting their veteran presence on the field. “They were absolute top class today, initiating attacks and helping in defense when needed,” he praised, adding that their experience was invaluable during crucial moments of the match.

Reflecting on the overall performance, Coach Nees expressed satisfaction with the team’s defensive effort but noted that further improvements would be needed ahead of their next match against Cameroon, a team he acknowledged as a more formidable opponent if they field their best lineup. He stressed the importance of recovery and tactical preparation, stating, “Most of our training will be in the meeting room, focusing on game intelligence and experience to rectify mistakes and enhance our strengths.”

With both teams still seeking their first win in the qualifying campaign, Kenya will next face Namibia, while Zimbabwe prepares to take on Cameroon, hoping to build on their defensive foundation and secure a much-needed victory in their pursuit of AFCON qualification.