NAIROBI,
Kenya, November 30- Harambee Stars got their CECAFA Senior Challenge campaign
back on track with a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia at Dar-es-Salaam Stadium on
Wednesday.
Debut
first half goals from Bob Mugalia and Victor Ochieng helped Francis Kimanzi’s
side to erase the disappointment of losing by a similar margin to Malawi in
their opener on Monday in a match played under pelting rain.
Mugalia,
the Congolese born naturalised Kenyan opened the scoring when he raced to a
though ball to tuck the ball away in the 11th minute to cap a bright start for
the Stars.
Kimanzi
employed a more attacking formation with Ochieng coming to partner Mugalia up
front as Mulinge Ndeto was drafted into the left to replace James Situma who
was rustic against The Flames.
Humphrey
Mieno was also brought into the midfield as Dennis Odhiambo dropped to the
bench with keeper, Duncan Ochieng keeping his place in goal despite the blooper
that handed Malawi their second goal via a penalty.
Ochieng,
the Chemelil Sugar revelation who netted ten times for the sugar millers after
his mid season move from relegated Mahakama FC was justifying his case for
inclusion in the starting line-up and his run was brought to an illegal stop on
the half hour mark.
Stars
were awarded a penalty and up stepped Jamal Mohammed and perhaps conscious of
the wet conditions, his attempt to fire into the roof of the net ended in the
ball clearing the bar and into the stands.
The
reprieve for the Ethiopians was short lived as in the 44th minute, Ochieng
gobbled up an incomplete clearance from a Mohammed corner to score his sides’
second with captain Pascal Ochieng making sure by bundling it in for a 2-0 half
time lead.
On
resumption, Ethiopia brought on Dawit Fekadu for their lethal striker, Shemeles
Bekele but it was Stars who fashioned the first chance when Mieno set up
Sofapaka team mate Mugalia with a chested pass that the forward turned wide.
Mohammed
saw his shot fizzle out past the post on the hour mark before Kimanzi replaced
Kimani with KPL top scorer Stephen Waruru three minutes later.
Despite
the faith bestowed on his gloves, Ochieng almost landed his team in trouble in
the 75th minute but the Ethiopians could not capitalise on his fumble prompting
the head coach to withdraw Ochieng and shore the backline by introducing
defender Jockins Atudo.
Ethiopia
cranked up the pressure with ten minutes left and further defensive cover was
needed which saw Mohammed withdrawn for Odhiambo as Kimanzi sought his team to
play out the match.
Mugalia
came close to notching his double in added time but Kenya held on to record
their first victory at this tournament since 2009 when they beat Somalia.
Kenya’s
last match will be against Sudan the 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifiers and
depending on the outcome of their match against Malawi that followed soon
after, a draw would be enough to seal qualification.
STARS
Duncan
Ochieng, Mulinge Munandi, Brian Mandela, Pascal Ochieng, Yusuf Juma, Humphrey
Ochieng, Titus Mulama, Jamal Mohammed, Kevin Kimani, Victor Ochieng, Bob
Mugalia.
Subs:
Jacktone Odhiambo, James Situma, Dennis Odhiambo, Jockins Atudo, Collins Okoth,
Stephen Waruru, Paul Were, Stephen Ocholla, Eric Masika.
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