Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony “Teddy” Akumu is drawing from his past experiences to inspire his teammates as they gear up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Akumu, who was a notable omission from Kenya’s squad for the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, has transformed that disappointment into a powerful source of motivation, aiming to help the national team secure a spot in the tournament set to take place in Morocco next year.
Back in 2019, Akumu was part of then-head coach Sebastian Migne’s preliminary squad and even participated in the pre-tournament training camp in France.
However, he was ultimately left out of the final team that went on to make a group stage exit in Egypt. This snub has fueled Akumu’s determination to not only make the squad this time but also to ensure the team qualifies for their first AFCON since that 2019 appearance.
Speaking during a training session at the Police Sacco Stadium, Akumu opened up about how the experience continues to drive him.
“I missed the chance to play at the 2019 AFCON, but this time, I believe we have the capability. We have the support from everywhere. If we can just stay focused, we will qualify,” he said.
His words reflect not only his personal ambitions but also his desire to motivate his teammates to achieve collective success.
Since the retirement of Victor Wanyama from international football, Akumu has stepped into a more prominent role within the team, particularly under the stewardship of head coach Engin Firat.
Akumu, alongside Richard Odada, has become a central figure in Harambee Stars’ midfield, with Firat placing significant trust in his abilities to lead the team.
Kenya is set to face Zimbabwe in Uganda and then travel to South Africa to take on Namibia as part of the Group J qualifiers.
The group also includes Cameroon, who reached the semifinals in the 2021 edition of the tournament. Akumu has emphasized the importance of a strong start in these qualifiers, noting how crucial it will be to build momentum ahead of their future clashes with the likes of Cameroon.
“We last played at the AFCON in 2019, and we want to qualify. We are not in an easy group, but we want to qualify, and the only way is by winning. I believe we can do that,” Akumu asserted.
He further highlighted the significance of these early matches, stating, “It is very important. It will give us the strength to face more teams like Cameroon. We will practically be away from home even if it is a home game, but I believe we have that capability to deliver when it matters.”
Despite Kenya’s recent successes against Zimbabwe, including a 3-1 victory in the final of the Malawi Four Nations tournament and a 2-0 win in the 2024 COSAFA Cup, Firat remains cautious, recognizing the strength of their opponents.
Akumu’s focus and determination will be key in ensuring that the team does not rest on past laurels but remains hungry for future success.
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