Mauritius 2-5 Kenya: Johanna Omollo at the double as Stars hammer hosts

Harambee Stars launched their bid for the 2018 World Cup with a 5-2 win over hosts Mauritius in a round one preliminary qualifier match at the Stade Anjalay in Belle Vue Maural on Wednesday.

Stars had assumed a 2-0 lead at half-time, with goals from Johanna Omollo and Ayub Timbe. Stars scored the third goal in the 49th minute through Harun Shakava, but almost threw away the lead, allowing Mauritius to claw their way back into the game with two goals to make it 3-2. But Omollo added his second of the match in the 83rd minute before lanky Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga wrapped up the game.

Exciting winger Ayub Timbe Masika was however the star-man, scoring the second goal directly from a corner in the 24th minute while Shakava was also on target, sliding on the ground to poke home an Olunga header from a corner taken by Dennis Odhiambo.

The Indian Ocean Islanders, coached by Happe Alain, scored their goals midway through the second-half - the first, a penalty in the 68th minute by Jean Steve Jonathan, who directed his shot to the bottom right corner, sending Kenyan goalie Boniface Oluoch the wrong way.

Mauritius added the second in the 77th minute from a goal mouth melee through skipper Kevin Bru, who plies his trade with England’s Championship side Ipswich Town.

POOR TRAVELLERS

Stars have been poor travellers and the last time they won away was in November 11, 2011 in Seychelles in a World Cup qualifier.

Kenya’s win over the minnows, ranked 168th by Fifa, 37 places below Kenya, will offer reprieve to the team and coach Bobby Williamson, who had been on the receiving end after a dismal show against Zambia’s Chipolopolo here in September in an African Cup of Nation qualifier where they fell 2-1 at home.

Stars will now aim at finishing the job when they welcome the Indian Ocean Islanders at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani on Sunday  in the return leg where the aggregate winner will book a date with Cape Verde in round two of the preliminaries.

Stars begun the game  rather nervously and it took  them 15 minutes to spring to  life and from then on they played with calmness against their inferior opponents.

Speaking after the match, Harambee Stars defender James Situma was optimistic Kenya will win the return leg to advance to the next stage.

“We used the chances created from set-pieces well and that was laudable. In a high-octane game, open chances may be hard to come by, so you must take the set-pieces that come your way,” Situma said.

“Olunga and Timbe did well to fall back in the match, which helped the team. We will win the return leg to advance,” Situma added.

Situma was overlooked for the match. Should Kenya beat Cape Verde in round two of the preliminaries, they will join the group stage.