Misfiring Stars share spoils with Burundi at Nyayo
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Harambee Stars forward Geoffrey Kataka dribbles past Burundi's Hazimana Issa during their friendly match at the Nyayo Stadium on July 15, 2014. The teams drew 0-0.
What you need to know:
- National team faces Lesotho in a preliminary qualifier on Sunday
- Lesotho beaten as Kenya come calling in Nations Cup qualifier
- The aggregate winner of the Lesotho-Kenya tie will advance into Group C and contest against Burkina Faso, Angola and Gabon for two automatic qualification slots to next year’s African Cup of Nations.
National team Harambee Stars on Tuesday battled to a barren draw with The Swallows of Burundi in a dull friendly match at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Adel Amrouche’s side was using the match to prepare for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations pre-qualifier match against Lesotho on Sunday.
Amrouche - who is suspended by CAF for the two-leg qualifier - opted for the stands and allowed his assistants James Nandwa and Ken Odhiambo to take charge.
The two unleashed a fairly youthful team of Geoffrey Kataka upfront assisted by Mathare United's Harrison Mwendwa and Jacob Keli, as Brian Osumba and Thika United skipper Dennis Odhiambo made rare starts.
The Burundians were cautious, staying back for most of the first half and testing Kenyan goalkeeper Wilson Obungu only once but Yusuf Ndikumana’s shot was no trouble for the Bandari custodian.
Osumba unleashed a good volley at the half-hour mark which Burundi keeper Innocent Mbooni repelled towards Paul Kiongera who however failed to make use of the rebound.
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Harambee Stars' midfielder Brian Osumba (left) controls the ball under pressure from Burundi's Rashid Harerimana during their friendly match played at Nyayo Stadium July 15, 2014. The teams drew 0-0.
Kiongera had an opportunity to put Kenya forward but his feeble shot from a free-kick just outside the box did not trouble the visitor's keeper seven minutes to the break.
James Situma also tried to break the deadlock in the dying minutes of the opening half but the defensive pair of Didier Kavumbagu and Stephene Rugunumugabo cut it out his effort for a corner.
SECOND HALF
The Stars played with more vigour in the second half after stars Allan Wanga, Victor Wanyama, Francis Kahata, MacDonad Mariga and Peter Opiyo all came in for Stephen Ochola, Jacob Keli, Geofrey Kataka and Brian Osumba.
Captain Mugubi was however sent off shortly after he appeared to argue with Ugandan referee Ssali Mashood.
MISSED A GLORIOUS CHANCE
With the home crowd anxious for a goal, Albania-based playmaker Kahata had a chance to score in the dying minutes but send a free kick horribly wide much to the frustrations of the expectant hosts. Mariga also disappointed when he missed a glorious chance in the 85th minute after failing to connect to a cross from the left flank.
“That result is not a good for a home match but I am also happy that we have some new players in the team which means there is continuity. We shall now focus on the qualifiers to ensure we move on to the next round,” Mariga said after the match.
This came as Lesotho lost 2-0 away to Botswana in their build up for their match against Kenya on Sunday.
Thato Ogopotse and Onkabetse Makgantai netted the goals at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Monday for the victory.
This was the Likuena’s final warm up before hosting the Stars in the initial match of a two legged tie as the race to secure a ticket to compete at the biannual continental sporting showpiece in Morocco takes shape.
