Emerging Stars thrash sorry Mauritius in Olympics qualifier

Kenya U23 defender Johnstone Omurwa (centre) celebrates scoring the first goal against Mauritius Under 23 with Joseph Okumu (left) and Chrispinus Onyango during their Africa Under 23 Cup of Nations/ Olympics first round qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on November 14, 2018. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO |

What you need to know:

  • The aggregate winner in the clash progresses to the second round where they will meet either Seychelles or Sudan

  • Kimanzi made changes at restart withdrawing Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB)’s Chris Onyango for Sydney Lokale who would add the fourth goal 10 minutes later

  • It was all over for Mauritius on the 71st minute when Okumu rose high to head in the fifth goal from Mainge’s cross

Kenya’s Emerging Stars hit five past a hapless Mauritius Under 23 in a lopsided first round first leg of the 2019 Africa U23 Cup of Nations/ 2020 Olympics qualifier at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Wednesday.

Johnstone Omurwa and James Mazembe gave Kenya a two-goal cushion at the break before Pistone Mutamba, Sydney Lokale and Joseph “Crouch” Okumu scored a goal apiece in the second half to ensure Kenya has one foot in the second round ahead of the Sunday's return leg in Port Louis.

The aggregate winner in the clash progresses to the second round where they will meet either Seychelles or Sudan.

Francis Kimanzi’s charges, watched on from the bench by senior team coach Sebastien Migne, were ruthless from the onset.

The hosts' bright start bore fruit on 12 minutes through Mathare United defender Johnston Omurwa who rose high to head home Yusuf Mainge’s well-delivered corner kick.

In the 24th minute, Mainge combined with James Mazembe down the right flank before the latter floated in a cross that Ovella Ochieng’ connected to but his effort was parried by Mauritius custodian Alexandre Figaro for a fruitless corner.

Moments before the half hour mark, Sweden-based Ovella won the ball in the Kenyan half, raced forward before sliding a pass to Teddy Osok on the far right flank. The Sofapaka midfielder picked out Mazembe's run in between two Mauritius defenders with a cross and the winger made no mistake to double the scores with a diving header.

Kenya U23 forward James Mazembe (right) celebrates scoring the second goal against Mauritius Under 23 with Ovella Ochieng' during their Africa Under 23 Cup of Nations/ Olympics first round qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on November 14, 2018. Both players scored in the return leg on November 18,2018 as Kenya won 3-1. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO |

Kenya took control of the game launching frequent attacks as the visitors struggled to settle into the game.

Kimanzi made changes at restart withdrawing Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB)’s Chris Onyango for Sydney Lokale who would add the fourth goal 10 minutes later.

Piston Mutamba had made it 3-0 on 53 minutes with a fine header from an Ovella cross.

Owiti, who rested Ovella three minutes after the hour mark, fizzled a low cross into the feet of Lokale in the 69th minute but the Kariobangi Sharks forward missed the chance to claim a brace on 69 minutes blasting wide instead.

It was all over for Mauritius on the 71st minute when Okumu rose high to head in the fifth goal from Mainge’s cross.