By Administrator,

Kenya’s Harambee Stars fell by a solitary goal to Egypt Pharaohs in an International friendly played on Saturday evening at the Aswan Stadium to commemorate its re-opening after renovations.

The first has was a cagey see saw affair that lacked much play from both sides .Keeper Wilson Obungu got busy as early as the 13th minute  a Hosni Abd-Rabo direct free-kick hit the woodwork with Obungu well beaten to it.

Egypt drew closer in the 30th minute but Shawy El Said header went over the bar .

Towards the end of the first half, Kenya had their first chance of the game as Mieno shot high and wide, and Kamar almost gave the hosts the lead a few seconds later only to be smartly denied by the diving Obungu.

Egypt coach Shawky Gharib made a several changes  to his line up  in the   second half, with El-Shennawy replacing El-Hadary and Amr Gamal coming on for Zakareya as the home side began to attack with more urgency.

In the 55th minute Amr Gamal sent the fans into delirium as the Al Ahly star hit a first time finish into the far corner with Obungu hapless in goal for the Pharaohs one and only goal of the match .

Wilson Obungu who had a rather busy day in office  was on hand again four minutes later to catch Gamal’s deflected effort as both teams became increasingly stretched, and Obungu came out on top again 2 minutes from time when he pulled off a flashy save to deny Gamal for the second time, as the match came to a close.

Egypt  will face Senegal away from home in a week’s time; the first of their AFCON 2015 qualifying campaign.

Starting Lineups

Egypt: El-Hadary (Ahmed El-Shennawy 45′), Hazem Emam, Okka, Shawky El-Said, Sabri Rahil,  Mahmoud Hassan (Ahmed Fathi 70′), Ibrahim Abdel-Khalek (Amr Gamal 45′), Moemen Zakareya (Omar Gaber 79′), Hany El-Egeizi (Hossam Ghaly 63′), Hosni Abd-Rabo, Khaled Kamar.

Kenya: Wilson Obungu, Edwin Wafula, Charles Odette, Jackson Saleh, Aboud Omar, David Odhiambo, Humphrey Mieno, Noah Wafula, David Kingatua (Vincent Omumbo 74′), Brian Osumba (Godfrey Kataka 63′), Jesse Were.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com