Stars labour to pip Comoros

Harambee Stars began their 2015 African Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over minnows Comoros in their first-leg preliminary tie at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

In an edgy battle that Stars could have won by a wider margin ahead of the second leg to be played in Comoros in two weeks’ time, Belgium-based  midfielder Johanna Omollo made all the difference in the 35th minute with a sumptuous 30-metre out screamer that flew to the top left corner of the net.

The visitors, keen to pick a point in Nairobi, were technical and opted to sit back and absorb the pressure from the Stars.

With towering Sanlam Santos defender Brain Mandela out of the team owing to an injury, head coach Adel Amrouche handed US -based centre half Lawrence Olum his first international cap and the soft-spoken defender did not disappoint forming a strong shield with David “Cheche” Ochieng  in a four-man backline that also included David “Calabar” Owino and Tusker’s roving left-back Aboud Omar.

STRONG START

Kenya started strongly and had the first chance in the 10th minute when Denis Oliech directed his header from an Ayub Timbe comer off the mark.

Fifteen minutes later skipper Victor Wanyama delivered a rasping shot after being put through by Timbe but he too could not find the target.

Timbe, operating on the flanks, was the orchestrator of Kenya’s attacks in his a man of the match performance.

Star were however forced on the back foot in the 29th minute when an error by Jamal Mohamed nearly proved costly. He gave away possession to Comoros midfielder Mohamed Soule who had  a chance of putting  his side ahead but  he fired wide.

With desperation creeping in, a moment of magic by Omollo broke the deadlock.

He pounced on a loose ball outside the area and did not hesitate to release a long range effort that left Comoros goalkeeper Mviovilli Mahmoud well beaten.

MARIGA'S RETURN

“It was a tough match. Our opponents locked the game but it is important that we have picked a win. We have a chance of qualifying but we must take one match at a time,” Omollo said

Echoing his team mate’s sentiments, team skipper Victor Wanyama said there was everything to fight for in the return leg as their opponents will open up.

“We must score more goals in Comoros. It will be an open game because they will be fighting to win and this will work in our favour,” he said.

The match also marked the return of MacDonald Mariga to the team after close to three years out of international football.

The lanky box–to-box midfielder got an arousing welcome when he came on with 15 minute left for Jamal Mohammed and nearly grabbed Kenya’s second with a long-range drive from the 18 area which went inches wide off the right far post.