Harambee Stars may be out of contention in qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon but it seems that they are in line to having very good preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers to start in July 2021.
After seeing off South Sudan 1-0 in an international friendly on Saturday, Harambee Stars faced Serengeti Stars fresh from the 2020 CHAN exploits in Cameroon with confidence, starting the match brightly and pinning their opponents into their own half.
Head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee made ten changes to the squad that beat South Sudan with Kenneth Muguna skippering the side. There were debuts for Ulinzi Stars wingback Harun Mwale and KCB’s Micheal Mutinda.
Harambee Stars got their goals through the FKF Premier league top scorer Eric Kapaito and Bandari’s Abdallah Hassan. Tanzania’s goal was scored by Ayub Rueben Lyanga of Azam FC.
Monday’s encounter is the first of the two friendlies the two sides will face off, the next scheduled for Thursday under the floodlights at Kasarani.
The first real chance of the game fell to Kapaito, who missed a glorious opportunity in the sixth minute of the game after failing to connect a perfect cross floated in by his Kariobangi Sharks teammate Daniel Sakari. He instead headed wide off the upright.
Outstanding Lawi
Midfielder Lawrence Juma had another opportunity to put Kenya up in the 18th minute but he missed a sitter, hitting the frame from close range. The chance came via good work by Kapaito but Juma who had shown good strength to shield away Kelvin Yondani, failed to compose himself at the umpteenth time.
Kapaito would then make up for his earlier miss by heading home the opener in the 20th minute of the game, beating veteran keeper Juma Kaseja at the near post to spark celebrations in the Stars bench.
Kenya’s dominance continued and four minutes later they were denied by the bar again, this time Wazito FC attacking midfielder Kevin Kimani’s hitting the frame of goal with a well struck freekick from the edge of the box.
Tanzania got their goal when Lyanga followed up his earlier effort heading home past James Saruni to half the deficit. His earlier effort also from a header had beaten the experienced Ulinzi keeper but the Azam man was quick to react, heading home past a hapless Saruni.
In the second half, Ghost started by making changes, Abdallah coming in for James Mazembe, Denis Chetambe for Micheal Mutinda and Elvis Rupia coming in for the outstanding Lawrence Juma. Tusker FC’s hotshot Henry Meja also had a feel of the pitch in the last 12 minutes, replacing the industrious Kevin Kimani.
Tanzania effort
Tanzania’s efforts to equalize did not materialise and they will be looking forward to earning their first win over the hosts for the first time in nine years.
Coach Kim Poulsen knows that he has a huge task ahead as he tries to overturn the fortunes of a Tanzania side that has been struggling to earn a win at home and on the road.
Up next is the final friendly against Tanzania on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at the MISC Kasarani, starting at 7 pm.
Harambee Stars Starting XI
1. James Saruni (GK), 3. Harun Mwale , 2. Johnstone Omurwa, 12. Mike Kibwage, 20. Daniel Sakari, 4. Michael Mutinda (8. Danson Chetambe), 13. Kenneth Muguna (C), 24. Lawrence Juma (10. Elvis Rupia), 17. Kevin Kimani (9. Henry Meja), 21. James Mazembe (22. Abdalla Hassan), 11. Eric Kapaito.
Substitutes
18. Joseph Okoth, 5. Nahashon Alembi, 16. David Owino, 15. Kevin Simiyu, 14. Oliver Maloba, 7. Reagan Otieno, 6. John Macharia, 19. Musa Masika,
Tanzania Starting XI
1. Juma Kaseja (GK), 21. Israel Mwenda, 3. Nickson Kibarage, 5. Kelvin Yondani, 14. Bakari Mwamnyeto, 7. Himid Mao, 23. Iddi Selemani, 6. Feisal Salum, 17. Faridi Musa, 8. Salum Abubakar, 22. Ayubu Lyanga
Substitutes
13. Metacha Mnata, 2. Laurent Alfred, 20. Yassin Mustapha, 4. 4. Dickson Nickson, 12. Deus David Kaseke, 16. Kelvin Pius, 9. Abdul Hamisi Sulemani