Firat demanding better from Kenya for Cameroon re-match

Kenya head coach Engin Firat is hoping to avoid a repeat of the mistakes they made against Cameroon this week when the two teams meet again at the Mandela National Stadium on Monday, October 14.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Current form:

Firat described the performance of his players in the first half on October 11 as the "worst" of his tenure after the Indomitable Lions scored three goals in the opening 43 minutes.

The Harambee Stars went on to lose the match 4-1 in Douala and they trail Zimbabwe by one point in third place at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign following one win, one draw and one defeat.

Firat's side had previously been unbeaten in Group J after playing out to 0-0 draw with the Warriors in Kampala on September 6 before edging Namibia 2-1 in Johannesburg four days later.

It was a first loss in eight games for the East Africans and Firat wants his team to cut out the errors if they hope to cause an upset against Cameroon in the reverse fixture next week.

The five-time Afcon winners lead the way on seven points courtesy of their second win in the group, having opened up a two-point gap to Zimbabwe.

Marc Brys' side had only scored one goal in their previous two qualifiers, which came on matchday 1 when they beat Namibia 1-0 in Garoua on September 7.

A goalless draw with the Warriors in the Ugandan capital followed, but they turned on the style last time out to score four goals in 55 minutes against Kenya.

WHAT WAS SAID:

Kenya head coach Engin Firat

"The first half was the worst in my time in Kenya. We made too many mistakes, especially with the first goal, but in the end, Cameroon played well.

"[Christian] Bassogog was exceptional today. I've never seen him so active as he was in this match. We trained for these transitions, but it didn't matter in the final moments."

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Kenya - Michael Olunga proved his value to the national team with a 41st-minute goal against Cameroon on matchday 3, although it turned out to be nothing more than a consolation. However, the 30-year-old striker reached another milestone with his 30th international goal and is now just five away from equalling William Ouma's record as the Harambee Stars' all-time leading scorer.

Cameroon - Christian Bassogog caused Kenya all sorts of problems in Douala, having set up Bryan Mbeumo for their third goal on 43 minutes before rounding off the scoring in the 55th minute. The 28-year-old winger was making his fifth appearance since returning to the fold for his country after a two-year absence and registered his eighth goal.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Matches - 2

Kenya wins - 0

Cameroon wins - 2

Draws - 0