Harambee Stars have ended their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on a winning note, beating Togo 1-0 in Lome to finish third in group G.
Abdalla Hassan scored the opener in the 32nd minute of the game and another in the second half from the day’s skipper Masud Juma helped Ghost’s Stars to their first victory of what has been a poor campaign. Finnish based Henry Enenful scored from the spot in the 91st minute for the hosts but a well organised Harambee Stars kept tight to ensure that they earned the maximum points.
In a largely changed lineup, coach Jacob Mulee handed debuts to AFC Leopards center back Clyde Senaji with Ulinzi Stars keeper James Saruni getting the nod to start in goal.
Morocco based Masud Juma started upfront while Cliffton Miheso, Kevin Kimani, Abdalla Hassan, Duncan Otieno, and Duke Abuya were deployed in midfield.
With Egypt and Comoros having progressed from the group, it was all about the bragging rights as the Stars met the Les Eperviers. The visitors who missed the services among them Michael Olunga, Ian Otieno, Joash Onyango and Lawrence Juma started the match brightly and one could hardly notice the missing members.
Bandari’s Hassan who has now scored three goals in his last four matches for Stars finished off a delightful pass from Gor Mahia winger Clifton Miheso to send the Harambee Stars bench in frenzy.
Togolese keeper Yao Djehani was later called up to make a top drawer save off a Duncan Otieno effort to ensure that the score remained at 1-0 heading into halftime.
Duke Abuya went close earlier on the second half but it was Juma’s spot kick in the 65th minute that helped Stars finish strongly despite a nervy end to the fixture.
Other fixtures
In other matches, Uganda lost 1-0 to Malawi to miss out in qualification of the biennial tournament. Richard Mbulu scored the lone goal in the 15th minute to ensure Malawi’s qualification.
In Egypt, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scored a brace with Arsenal’s Mohamed El Neny and Mohamed Sherif getting to the scoresheet as the hosts thumped Comoros 4-0 to finish in group G.
Harambee Stars Starting XI
James Saruni (GK), Daniel Sakari, Nahashon Alembi (Harun Mwale 63’), Clyde Senaji, Eric Ouma, Duke Abuya, Duncan Otieno, Abdalla Hassan, Kevin Kimani (Cliff Nyakeya 53’), Cliffton Miheso (Kevin Simiyu 75’), Masud Juma(C).
Substitutes
Joseph Okoth (GK), Baraka Badi, Harun Mwale, David Owino, Cliff Nyakeya, Kevin Simiyu, Elvis Rupia.