Kenya U-23 edge out Uzbekistan in friendly

What you need to know:

  • Both teams will face-off in another friendly on Monday, with Kenya using the match in preparation for the 2020 Olympic qualifiers.

Francis Kimanzi-led Kenya Under-23 beat their Uzbekistan counterparts 2-1 in an international friendly match staged at a packed Barkamol Avlod Stadium in Tashkent on Friday.

Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) striker Chrispinus Onyango slotted home the opener from Pistone Mutamba’s pass in the 24th minute.

The Wazito forward doubled the scores a minute after the half hour mark from a Cliff Kasuti cross.

The Kakamega High School alumnus fed Kasuti whose first shot was blocked before pouncing on the rebound to lift over Uzbekistan defence a cross that found the scorer with an empty net.

The reigning Asian Football Confederation Under-23 champions rarely threatened the Emerging Stars in the opening half. They twice sent wide free kicks from outside the box in the first 45 minutes via Dostonbek Khamdamov.

The hosts’ midfielder Khojiakbar Alidzhanov was cautioned for a foul on right back Nicholas Mejja, four minutes to the breather.

Kimanzi started with Ulinzi Stars goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo in between the sticks while USA-bound Joseph Okumu captained the side. Kariobangi Sharks’ Sven Yidah and Ulinzi Stars’ Ibrahim Shambi partnered in midfield as Onyango and Mutamba led the onslaught upfront.

Odiljon Hamrobekov’s attempted shot on 58 minutes flew inches wide with the hosts trying to find their way back into the match.

They finally found the breakthrough with 16 minutes to time after Andrey Sidorov pounced on a rebound. Keeper Odhiambo had saved Zabihillo Urinboev's penalty kick before the hosts reacted first to halve the deficit.

Both teams will face-off in another friendly on Monday, with Kenya using the match in preparation for the 2020 Olympic qualifiers.