Stars thump Rangers in friendly

Harambee Stars warmed up for the forthcoming Orange Cecafa Senior Challenge with a 4-1 thumping of Kenyan Premier League-bound Posta Rangers in a practice match at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

Featuring two entirely different teams in either half, Stars were just too strong and clever for Posta Rangers, who recently finished second in the Nationwide League to gain automatic promotion to the very top division of Kenyan club football.

New call-up, Evans Amuoka, punished goalkeeper Issa Khaemba’s fumble with a quick stab into the net eight minutes after the start before on and off international Jamal Mohammed slotted home a penalty 18 minutes later for a comfortable half time lead for the Stars.

In the second half, striker Allan Wanga guided home a 20-metre free kick and rugged defender George Owino claimed a rare goal to wrap up what was an easy afternoon stroll for Harambee Stars.

Oscar Olwith scored Posta Rangers’ lone goal in a match they will have no reason to feel ashamed of given the quality of the opposition. Posta had former international, Japheth Waweru, on their squad.

Stars coach Twahir Muhiddin will have got the chance to take a more critical look at his team, particularly the new call-ups and re-calls, before he names his 20-man squad for the Cecafa tournament on Friday.

League’s top scorer

The competition in the team is bound to be tough particularly in a crowded midfield that has eight provisional players, including Amos Chona of IFK Mariehamn (Finland), Jerry Santos (Tusker), James Situma (Sofapaka) and the unattached Mohammed.

More competition has been added in that department after Harambee Stars team manager Edward Oduor on Wednesday confirmed that up and coming Gor Mahia jewel Peter Opiyo will be available for the tournament.

Opiyo is in Germany attending trials with Fortuna Dusseldorf and is expected in the country on Wednesday evening. Missing from the provisional squad is Francis Ouma, the 2008 Kenyan Premier League top scorer.

Ouma, who is now with Portuguese side GC Tourizense, was expected in the country on Wednesday night and should make the final cut for Cecafa. Kenya open their title chase against joint favourites Zambia on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium.