Last-gasp Brian Mandela strike rescues Harambee Stars at Kasarani
What you need to know:
- Stars found themselves 1-0 down after Nazar Hamid gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 23rd minute before the Maritzburg United defender nodded home a header from Ali Abondo's cross at the death to rescue Stars from defeat.
Brian Mandela struck at the death as Harambee Stars rallied from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Sudan in an international friendly match at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani on Tuesday.
Stars found themselves 1-0 down after Nazar Hamid gave the visitors a deserved lead in the 23rd minute before the Maritzburg United defender nodded home a header from Ali Abondo's cross at the death to rescue Stars from defeat.
The draw made it four winless games for youthful Stars coach Stanley Okumbi who is yet to guide the national football team to victory since his appointment three months ago.
If attendance was poor in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Tanzania, it was worse yesterday, although the Kenyan team put through a slightly livelier performance.
Okumbi made major changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Tanzania three days ago, giving youngsters Joseph Okumu, Eric Ouma and Ovella Ochieng a starting chance as Tusker goalkeeper David Okello started in goal.
COMPOSED PERFORMANCE
Brian Mandela justified why he was handed the armband in the absence of skipper Victor Wanyama with a composed performance in defence.
Ovella Ochieng and Wycliffe Ochomo each made bright starts in the early stages of the game, but they were lacking in precision and their eventual shots did not trouble Sudan goalkeeper Ekram Elhadi.
Hamid provided the rude awakening for Kenya in the 23rd minute when he lurched onto a loose ball at the edge of the box before putting the ball past Okello for the opener.
Ochomo thought he had equalised for Harambee Stars three minutes later, but he was rightly flagged offside.
Okumbi made an early change shortly afterwards, bringing Gor Mahia playmaker Francis Kahata for the ineffective Tairus Omondi.
The introduction of Ismail Gonzalez, Ali Abondo and Jesse Were in the second half brought in some confidence and experience in the Stars side, who enjoyed a better second half after a shaky start.
Kahata saw red with three minutes left in regular time, but the Kenyan boys pressed on in an attempt to salvage some pride.
Mandela found the back of the net in stoppage time after getting heading home Abondo’s delivery from the right flank.
“I know Kenyans are on my neck but it’s one step at a time. Today, I used some of the Under-20 players and we’ve managed to hold Sudan who have fielded their best players. That is a good sign because I have seen some players I can add in the team that will play Congo this weekend,” Okumbi said in his post-match press conference.
SQUADS
Starting XI: David Okello (GK), Eric Ouma, Musa Mohamed, Brian Mandela, Joseph Okumu, Tyrus Omondi, Joseph Mbugi, Ali Abondo, Paul Were, Michael Ovella, Wycliffe Ochomo
Reserves: Ian Otieno, Lucas Indeche (GK), Clifton Miheso, Nicholas Kipkurui, Boniface Akenga, Ismail Gonzalez, Francis Kahata, Amos Nondi, Jesse Were, Aboud Omar, Jaffar Owiti
Sudan Starting XI: 1. Akram Elhadi, 16. Mudathir Eltayeb, 18. Amir Kamal, 6. Ali Jafar, 3. Malawia Bashir, 15. Athar Eltahir, 14. Abu Abdalla, 7. Ramadhan Agab, 13. Nazar Hamid, 12. Salah Ibrahim, 10. Mohamed Tahir
Reserves: 1. Awad El Karim, 5. Salaheldin Mahmoud, 4. Bakhiet Khamis, 2. Eltahir Elhag, 19. Mohamed Ahmed, 9. Mohamed Abdelmoniem, 14. Omer Mahmoud
