Harambee Stars may be out of contention for qualifying for the 2021 AFCON but an assured performance against Egypt on Thursday night gave hope to Kenyan football lovers.
The seven-time champions Egypt managed a 1-1 draw with Stars to join Comoros in qualifying to next year’s showpiece in Cameroon.
Mohamed Magdy Afsha scored the opener for the Egyptians in the second minute before Abdallah Hassan scored the equalizer in the second half, his second goal in two week.
The result sees Egypt go to nine points, same as Comoros who drew with Togo earlier on. Kenya remain third with four points and will duel with Togo in a dead rubber bottom of the table clash in Lome on Monday for bragging rights.
Knowing that a win or a draw would see them pick a ticket to Cameroon, the Egyptians wanted to start as quickly as possible off the blocks and they were rewarded just two minutes into the game when Afsha broke the deadlock.
The Al Ahly man struck a brilliant shot into the roof of the net after Ahmed Mostafa dummied a cross from Mohammed Salah on the right.
But despite going down early, the Kenyan side gave in a good account of themselves and got several scoring chances, settling into the game well.
Mohamed Elshenawy was kept busy in the Egyptian goal as the Kenyans constantly tried to find a way back into the game. Skipper Michael Olunga had a chance in the seventh minute but his low shot off an Abdallah Hassan cutback went straight to the keeper.