WHETHER Harambee Stars can hack it against Togo before their own home fans is the question on every Kenyan's lips as the two teams fight it out in the African Cup of Nations qualifier away in Lome.

Stars need only a draw to reach the last stages of the race for next year's tournament in South Africa. Having already conceded that reaching the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014 is beyond them following the single point garnered in the opening two encounters, Francis Kimanzi's charges realistic hopes of qualify for a first international tourney in eight years remain in the biennial African showpiece.

Speaking to a local television station prior to their departure for Lome, Stars skipper Dennis Oliech aptly captured the reality of the situation for Kenya. "We are unlikely to qualify for the World Cup but we have a very good opportunity of reaching the African Cup of Nations and that is our focus in order to give our fans something to cheer about," said the 27-year-old AJ Auxerre striker.

Kenya's problem as exhibited over the last 17 days has been scoring goals but that will not be much of a concern for Kimanzi's side, who need only to avoid defeat tomorrow to knock Togo out. The defence which held firm against Malawi then kept Namibia out for 80 minutes will have to be on alert to keep the marauding Togo forwards at bay.

Kimanzi will likely resort to a more defensive 5-3-1-1 system to counter what is expected to a be an attacking onslaught from the Sparrow Hawks. The good news for Stars is that England-based goal getter Emmanuel Adebayor is doubtful for the match, having missed his country's last two matches this month.

The few opportunities that will come their way will have to be taken by Oliech and company if they are to have any chance of proceeding into the final stages of these qualifiers and give Kimanzi and his technical staff a much needed breathing space before the World Cup qualifiers resume next year. Kenya lead the two legged match 2-1, thanks to their victory in Nairobi back in March.